UC-NRLF 


George     Davidson 
1825-1911 


f  , 
C\ 


REED  AND  CADWALADER 


PAMPHLETS. 


,* 


THE 


CORRESPONDENCE 


WILLIAM    B.    REED 


JOHN      PENINGTON      &     SON, 


IN   RELATION   TO   A    REPRINT 


REED  AND  CADWALADEK  PAMPHLETS. 


PHILADELPHIA  : 
l864. 


No.   222  SOUTH   4TH    STREET, 

March    21,  1864. 
GENTLEMEN  : 

Obferving  in  the  printed  catalogue  of  books  for  fale  by  you,  and  which 
you  took  the  trouble  to  fend  to  me,  the  re-print  of  what  you  defcribe  as  "THE  REED 
AND  CADWALADER  PAMPHLETS,"  I  refpedtfully  renew  my  requeft  for  the  names  of  the  per- 
fons  by  whom  this  was  gotten  up.  My  main  object  in  the  inquiry  is  to  afcertain  the 
fource  from  which  certain  documents,  printed  in  the  appendix,  are  derived,  and  to  know 
why,  if  the  motives  for  re-publication  were  fair,  certain  other  well-known  matters  of 
hiftorical  evidence  were  suppreffed,  until  I  know  the  names  of  thofe  perfons  fuch  inqui 
ries  cannot  be  made. 

Incidentally  too,  I  defire  to  know  to  whofe  agency  I  and  my  family  are  indebted  for  this 
new  attempt  to  defame  the  dead  and  embroil  the  living.  As  it  now  ftands  I  know  no 
refponfible  perfons  but  you  ;  and  our  part  relations — at  leaft  with  the  fenior  member  of 
your  firm,  forbid  me  regarding  you  otherwife  than  as  the  inconfiderate  agents  or  inftru- 
ments  of  my  perlbnal  enemies  who  have  no  fcruple,  while  they  keep  themfelves  unknown 
to  throw  the  whole  refponfibility  on  you. 

I  earneftly  and  refpedlfully  requeft  you  to  endeavor  to  obtain  the  confent  of  thefe  per 
fons  that  you  fhould  give  up  their  names.  If  there  be  the  smalleft  refiduum  of  gentleman 
ly  feeling  among  them,  they  will  hefitate  no  longer. 

A  copy  of  this  reprint  has  been  depofited  at  the  Philadelphia  Library,  and  in  its  cata 
logue  is  defcribed  as  the  gift  of  the  Publisher  !  On  my  inquiring  of  Mr.  Smith,  the 
Librarian,  who  this  was,  the  reply  was,  that  the  donor  preferred  that  his  name  ihould  not 
be  known.  I  mention  this  to  fhow  the  perfiftent  efforts  of  thefe  purveyors  of  flander  to 
circulate  their  libels  and  fecrete  themfelves. 

It  is  but  right  for  me  to  inform  you  that  I  contemplate  a  publication  on  the  fubjedl  of 
the  revival  of  those  ancient  fcandals,  and  that  I  fhall  feel  at  liberty  to  ufe  this  corref- 
pondence,  or,  what  I  fhould  much  prefer,  exhibit  to  the  public  the  names  of  the  real  agents 
in  this  fcheme  of  anonymous  mifchief.  Should  this  laft  effort  to  develope  this  fecret 
agency,  by  a  friendly  appeal  to  you,  fail,  I  fhall  have  no  alternative  but  to  refort  to  fuch 
detecYive  proceffes  as  are  ordinarily  applicable  to  fecret  criminality. 

In  order  that  there  may  be  no  miftake  as  to  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  I  have  requeftei^ 
a  friend  to  hand  it  to  you,  and  fhall  be  glad  to  have  an  early  reply. 
I  am,  very  relpectfully, 

Your  obedient  Servant, 

WILLIAM   B.   REED. 

MESSRS.  JOHN    P&NINGTON   &  SON. 

(Copy.) 

&  

PHILADELPHIA,   March   23,    1864. 
SIR: 

Yours  2ist  received,  contents  noted.      In  regard  to  the  names  of  the  gentlemen 
who  reprinted  the  REED  AND  CADWALADER  pamphlet,  of  which  you  ftill  profefs  ignorance, 


we  have  to  fay  that  Mr  John  Campbell,  who  alfo  had  copies   for  fale,  informs  us  that  he 
communicated  the  names  to  you  "more  than  three  months  Jince." 

Very  refpeftfully, 

JOHN   PENINGTON  &  SON. 
WILLIAM  B.  REKD,  Eso^., 

222  South  4th  Street. 

Inclofed  in  this  letter  was  a  circular,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy  : 

A 
REPRINT 

OK   THE 

REED  AND  CADWALADER 

PAMPHLETS, 

WITH     AN 

APPENDIX. 

A  fac-fimile  of  the  original  pamphlets,  printed  on  fine  thick  paper.     8vo.,  142  pages. 
This  edition  of  only  199  copies  has  been  printed   by  fubfcription,  but  for  the  benefit  of 
thofe  who  collect  documents  relating  to  our  revolutionary  hiftory,  a  few  copies  have  been 
placed  for  fale  in  the  hands  of 

JOHN   PENINGTON  &  SON, 

No.    127   South  Seventh   Street, 

PHILADELPHIA. 
Price    3    Dollars. 

PHILADELPHIA,   March   24,    1864. 
GENTLEMEN  : 

I  have  received  with  much  regret  your  note  of  yefterday.  Mr.  John 
Campbell  fome  time  ago  did  give  me  the  names  of  three  perfons,  perfonally  unknown 
to  me,  who  depofited  copies  of  the  Reprint  with  him  for  fale.  For  reafons  which  you 
do  not  feem  able  to  eftimate,  I  preferred  directing  further  inquiries  to  you — and  am  forry 
that  I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  a  direcl:  anfwer.  I  have  no  choice  now  but  to  clofe 
this  correfpondence, — as  I  have  all  other  relations  to  you, — and  to  requeft  you  to  fend  me 
no  more  circulars  and  advertifements.  In  terminating,  as  I  now  do,  all  friendly  rela 
tions  to  the  fenior  member  of  your  firm,  I  cannot  refrain  from  the  exprefiion  of  fincere 
regret  that  he  fhould  have  allowed  himfelf  to  be  the  inftrument  of  inflifting  pain  by  this 
fcandalous  republication  on  thofe,  for  there  are  others  befidc  me,  who  never  conscioufly 
injured  him. 

Your  obedient  Servant, 

WILLIAM    B.    REED. 
MESSRS.  JOHN    PENINGTON   &  SON. 


TO      A      NOTORIOUS      POLITICIAN.' 


Read,  mark,  learn  and  Inivardly 


"  A  traitor  grandfire  once  you  had, 

But  that's  not  half  the  evil  5 
A  knavifh  father,  juft  as  bad — 
Now  both  gone  to  the  devil." 

"  Defcended  from  fo  foul  a  pair, 
You  all  their  faults  inherit  ; 
All  your  great  father's  vices  fhare, 
And  all  vour  lire's  demerit." 


Sunday   Difpatch. 


REPRINT 


OF    THE 


REED  AND  CADWALADER 


PAMPHLETS. 


WITH    AN 


A  P  P  E  N  D  I   X 


MDCCCLXIII. 


PREFACE 


THE  following  Pamphlets  have  been  thought 
worthy  of  prefervation  in  a  more  com 
plete  form  than  any  in  which  they  have 
ever  hitherto  apppeared.  One  of  them,  known  as 
the  Cadwalader  Pamphlet,  has  been  twice  re 
printed ;  firft  at  Trenton,  N.  J.,  in  1848,  in  an 
inferior  ftyle,  and  not  without  errors  ;  and  again  at 
Philadelphia,  in  1856;  the  latter  edition  having 
annexed  a  feries  of  forgeries,  called  the  Valley  Forge 
Letters,  which  threw  difcredit  upon  the  whole. 
General  Reed's  pamphlet,  to  which  Cadwalader's 
was  a  reply,  has  never  been  reprinted,  and  is  ex 
ceedingly  fcarce.  The  object  of  the  prefent  edition, 
which  is  limited,  is  to  preferve  for  the  hiftorical 
ftudent  as  accurate  fac  fimiles,  as  careful  typography 
renders  poffible,  of  two  interefting  memorials  of 
the  part,  the  originals  of  which  time  and  other 


caufes  are  rendering  fcarcer  every  year.  The  few 
extracts  in  the  Appendix,  having  relation  to  the 
general  fubjed:  matter  of  the  Pamphlets,  are 
thought  proper  to  be  added.  Both  fides  of  the 
controverfy  are,  however,  given,  and  the  reader  is 
left  to  his  own  conclufions. 

June,   1863. 


REMARKS 

O   N     A 

LATE     PUBLICATION; 

W  I  T  H     A 

SHORT     ADDRESS 

T  O     T  H  E 

PEOPLE  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 


REMARKS 

O      N          A 

L  A  T  E     P  U  B  L  I  C  A  T  I  O  N 

I  N     T  H  E 

Independent   Gazetteer; 

WITH     A 

SHORT     ADDRESS 

TO     THE 

PEOPLE  OF  PENNSYLVANIA, 

ON     THE     MANY 

LIBELS  AND  SLANDERS 

WHICH     HAVE 
LATELY     APPEARED     AGAINST    THE     AUTHOR. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
PRINTED    BY    FRANCIS    BAILEY,    IN    MARKET-STREET. 

M,DCC,LXXXIII. 


To     the     PUBLIC. 


I  Apprehend  little  apology  will  be  neceflary  for 
the  delay  of  the  following  remarks,  to  thofe  who 
confider  that  the  principal  tranfadtions  to  which 
they  relate  happened  near  fix  years  ago ;  and  in  the 
fucceeding  fpace  both  papers  and  perfons  have  been 
fo  difperfed  throughout  this  continent,  as  neceflarily 
to  require  much  time  to  refer  to  them.  Some  of  the 
former  I  find  are  now  unattainable  ;  and  many  of  the 
latter  have  gone  to  that  country,  where  the  voice  of 
envy,  faction,  and  flander  is  never  heard.  I  confefs 
I  feel  more  difficulty  in  another  point,  I  mean  pro 
ducing  letters  and  certificates,  which  in  any  other 
fituation  would  be  extremely  indelicate  ;  but  as  moft 
of  them  contain  cotemporary  fentiments  of  my  con 
duct,  at  a  period  when  party  and  prejudice  did  not 
exift  (at  leaft  as  to  me)  I  flatter  myfelf  the  candid 
part  of  mankind  will  view  them  rather  as  teftimo- 
nials  or  proofs  of  an  injured  character,  than  as  felf- 
produced  panegyrics.  I  have  no  defire  to  fuggeft 
recollection,  when  it  is  fashionable  to  forget,  and 
had  I  been  permitted  to  glide  down  the  current  of 
private  life,  uncalumniated,  I  certainly  mould  never 
have  obtruded  them  on  the  public  My  profef- 
fional  engagements,  fome  of  which  relate  to  the 
ftate,  muft  alfo  be  neceflarily  fuppofed  to  engrofs  a 
portion  of  my  time.  I  have  no  doubt  had  I  delay 
ed  theie  remarks  till  I  could  have  heard  from  gene 
ral  Greene,  with  whom,  from  our  firft  acquaintance 

at 


(       6       ) 

at  Cambridge  in  1775.  I  have  had  the  honour  to 
enjoy  a  moft  intimate  friendship,  I  could  have  ad 
ded  a  very  refpedtable  weight  to  them  :  but  that, 
and  a  letter  I  wrote  to  general  Washington  in  De 
cember  1776,  of  a  very  interesting  nature  on  the 
ftate  of  our  public  affairs,  which  is  at  a  diftance 
from  him,  I  am  obliged  to  omit,  though  I  am  per- 
fuaded  they  would  be  highly  favourable  to  me  ;  and 
the  letter,  I  have  great  reafon  to  believe,  was  influ 
ential  on  the  determination  which  was  followed  by 
the  furprife  of  the  Heflians  at  Trenton  ;  an  event, 
which  though  brilliant  and  highly  honourable  to  all 
concerned,  would  not,  I  conceive,  have  been  at 
tended  with  deciiive  effects  to  America,  had  it  not 
been  followed  by  the  return  of  the  army  to  New 
Jerfey,  and  the  fubfequent  fucceffes  at  Princeton  and 
in  Eaft  Jerfey.  I  have  now  but  one  requeft  to  make 
to  thofe  of  my  fellow  citizens  and  countrymen  of 
this  ftate,  that  they  will  for  a  moment  lay  afide  their 
prejudices,  if  any  are  imbibed,  and  read  and  judge 
with  candour. 

JOSEPH     REED. 
Nov.  i,  1782. 


The  Printer  thinks  it  his  duty  to  apologize 
to  the  Public  and  the  Author,  for  the  delay  which 
has  happened  by  his  means.  He  received  the  Manu- 
fcript  entire  a  conjlderable  time  ago,  but  after  he  had 
printed  above  one  half  of  it,  the  remainder  was, 
among  other  papers,  accidentally  deftroyed.  There 
being  no  copy,  and  the  author  at  Trenton,  it  became 
neceffary  to  wait  till  he  could  replace  it  with  a  new 
compofition.~\ 


[So  much  time  has  elapfed  fince  the  following 
Publication,  that  it  has  been  thought  proper  to 
reprint  it  here,  to  render  the  following  Remarks 
more  intelligible.] 


'To  the  Printer  of  the  INDEPENDENT  GAZETTEER. 


SIR, 

TT  is  much  to  the  honour  of  America,  that,  in  the  prefent  revolution, 
•*•  there  have  not  been  many  instances  of  defection  among  officers  of 
rank  in  the  continental  army.  In  Oliver  Cromwell's  time,  we  frequently 
fee  a  general  fighting  one  day  for  the  king,  another  for  the  parliament ; 
fo  unrtable  and  wavering  were  the  opinion  of  thefe  republicans. 

The  corruption  of  the  times  is  now  become  a  univerfal  complaint,  and 
one  would  be  almost  tempted  to  believe,  that  the  former  days  were  better 
than  thefe ;  that  our  fore-fathers  were  poflefled  of  greater  moral  rectitude 
than  the  prefent  generation,  did  not  hiftory  and  experience  convince  us 
of  the  contrary.  There  is,  however,  one  great  evil  peculiar  to  this  age, 
that  of  afluming  the  credit  of  being  endowed  with  virtues,  to  which  we 
are  perfect  ftrangers.  Cunning,  addrefs  and  eloquence  have  often  mifled 
the  honeft  but  too  credulous  multitude ;  and  they  have  been  taught  to 
confider  many  a  man  as  a  patriot  and  a  hero,  whofe  real  character  was 
marked  with  nothing  but  deceit  and  treachery  to  his  country.  It  is  alfo 
amazing  that  fuch  men  mould  meet  with  the  higheft  fuccefs,  and  bear 
their  blufhing  honours  thick  upon  them ;  whilft  modeft  merit  and  true 
patriotism,  could  neither  gain  the  fuffrages  of  the  people,  nor  the  appro 
bation  of  thofe  who  held  the  reins  of  government. 

The  reflections  I  am  now  making,  have,  in  a  ftriking  manner,  been 
verified  in  this  ftate.  I  mould  be  extremely  forry  to  accufe  without  a  juft 
foundation,  or  to  adduce  a  charge,  were  I  not  convinced  that  it  is  of  the 
utmoll  importance  that  the  public,  the  people  at  large,  mould  be  enabled 
to  form  a  right  opinion  of  fuch  men,  who  have  been  honoured  or  may  be 
honoured,  with  their  fuffrages,  and  thereby  exalted  to  places  of  the  higheft 
truft  and  confidence 

Imprefled  with  this  idea,  and  with  a  defign  to  elucidate  fuch  characters, 
I  mail  take  the  liberty  to  propofe  to  the  public,  the  following  queries : 

i.    Was 


(       8       ) 

1.  Was  not  general  R — d,  in  December  1776,  (then  A 1  G 1 

of  the  continental  army)  fent  by  general  Wafhington  to  the  commanding 
officer  at  Briftol,  with  orders  relative  to  a  general  attack,   intended  to  be 
made  on  the  enemy's  poft  at  Trenton,  and  thofe   below,  on  the  25th  at 
night. 

2.  Two  or  three   days   before   the   intended   attack,  Did   not  general 
R — d  fay,  in  converfation  with  the  faid  commanding  officer,  at  his  quar 
ters,  that  our  affairs  looked  very  defperate,  and  that  we  were  only  making 
a  facrifice  of  ourfelves  ? 

3.  Did  he  not  alfo  fay,  that  the  time  of  general  Howe's  proclamation, 
offering  pardon  and  protection  to  perfons  who  mould  come  in  before  the 
I  ft  of  January  1777,  was  nearly  expired;  and  that  Galloway,  the  Aliens, 
and  others,  had  gone  over  and  availed  themfelves  of  the  pardon  and  pro 
tection  offered  by  the  faid  proclamation  ? 

4.  Did  not  he,   general  R d,  at  the  fame  time  fay,    that  he  had  a 

family  and  ought  to  take  care  of  them ;  and  that  he  did  not  underftand 
following  the  wretched  remains  of  a  broken  army  ? 

5.  Did  he  not  likewife  fay  to  the  faid   commanding  officer,  that  his 
brother  (then  a  colonel  or  lieutenant  colonel  of  militia)  was  at  Burlington, 
with  his  family,  and  he  had  advifed  him  to  remain  there,  and  if  the  enemy 
took  poffeffion  of  the  town,  to  take  a  protection  and  fwear  allegiance  ? 

It  is  well  for  America  that  very  few  general  officers  have  reafoned  in 
this  manner ;  if  they  had,  general  Howe  would  have  made  an  eafy  con- 
queft  of  the  United  States.  And  it  is  very  obvious,  that  officers  of  high 
rank  with  fuch  fentiments,  can  have  no  juft  pretenfions  to  patriotifm,  or 
public  virtue ;  and  can  by  no  means  be  worthy  of  any  port  of  honour  or 
place  of  truft,  where  the  liberties  and  intereft  of  the  people  are  imme 
diately  concerned. 

BRUTUS. 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  3,  1782. 


To 


T     O 


General  JOHN    CADWALLADER. 


THE  following  Remarks  are  with  propriety  ad- 
drefled  to  you,  becaufe,  though  not  the  aftual 
author,  it  is  to  you  I  find  I  am  really  indebted  for 
the  infidious  attempt  on  my  reputation,  through  the 
medium  of  Ofwald's  news  paper  of  the  yth  Sep 
tember  laft.  Having  long  treated  with  contempt 
the  miferable  (lander  of  that  paper,  and  its  defpi- 
cable  authors,  I  prefume  it  became  neceflary  at  the 
approach  of  the  laft  eleftion,  to  bring  forward 
fomething  capable  of  attracting  the  public  atten 
tion  ;  and,  like  a  baneful  planet,  whofe  appearance  in 
either  ftate  bodes  ftorms  and  mifchief,  you  offered 
yourfelf  for  this  honourable  fervice.  Formed  into 
habits  of  friendmip  in  the  days  of  innocence  and 
childhood,  and  even  to  our  entrance  upon  the 
ftage  of  life,  till  diflblved  by  a  fudden  acceffion  of 
fortune  on  your  part,  without  perfonal  injury  or 
provocation  on  mine,  what  principle  that  will  not 
ever  difhonour  you  with  the  wife  and  virtuous, 
could  thus  tempt  you  to  injure  one  who  never  in 
jured  you  ?  who  has  ever  done  juftice,  and  more 
than  juftice  to  your  fervices  in  the  field,  becaufe, 
like  charity,  they  were  neceflary  to  cover  the  num- 
berlefs  faults  and  follies,  which  the  intoxication  of 

B  pride 


pride  and  wealth  were  ever  cafting  up  to  public 
view?  Unhappy  man!  againft  whofe  peace  and 
happinefs  all  are  combined,  who  confult  their  own 
reputation  and  profperity,  and  whofe  confcious  de- 
feels  eternally  fuggeft,  that  his  own  candle  will  not 
mine  till  every  other  is  extinguished;  what,  I  afk, 
could  tempt  you  thus  wantonly  to  tread  the  path 
of  obloquy,  and  wound  the  man  to  whom,  under 
your  hand,  you  "  acknowledge  your  country  much 
indebted"  ? 

You  now  fay,  that  in  1776,  I  meditated  a  defer- 
tion  to  the  enemy,  and  communicated  fuch  inten 
tion  to  you.  This  I  folemnly  and  expreffly  deny. 
And  you  fay,  you  have  frequently  mentioned  it; 
and  that  general  Arnold  did  the  fame.  I  have  no 
objection  to  allow  you  the  full  weight  you  can  derive 
from  this  moft  refpeclable  connection  and  teftimony. 
But  I  muft  obferve  that  Arnold  only  infinuated  it  on 
his  trial :  that  he  derived  it  from  you  in  the  inti 
macy  which  your  mutual  friendship  and  affection, 
and  kind  offices  to  the  internal  enemies  of  your 
country,  created,  we  owe  to  your  own  information. 
I  muft  confefs  I  always  thought  him  intitled  to  the 
whole  infamy  of  the  infmuation,  till  you  confented 
to  divide  it  with  him.  That  your  fortune  (accident 
ally  not  meritoriouily  acquired)  affords  you  leifure 
for  mifchief,  and  that  you  thus  employ  that  leifure, 
both  Maryland  and  Pennfylvania  fufficiently  know ; 
but  that  you  employ  it  with  fuch  wicked  induftry, 
remained  for  us  to  learn,  till  you  thought  proper 
yourfelf  to  communicate  this  alfo ;  and  yet,  inde 
fatigable  as  you  have  been,  I  can  truly  declare,  that 

the 


(    II    ) 

the  fubjecl  of  the  prefent  (lander  was  not  known 
to  me,  till  its  appearance  in  the  news  paper.  When 
Arnold's  insinuation  dropt,  a  fmile  of  contempt 
manifested  itfelf  throughout  the  room,  and  his  few 
well  withers  expreSTed  their  fears  that  it  would  in 
jure  the  other  parts  of  his  defence;  but  that  it 
originated  with  you  was  never  even  fuppofed. 
When  at  a  future  day  your  name  was  mentioned,  it 
was  grounded  upon  the  tranfad:ion  which  refpedted 
count  Donop,  the  circumftances  of  which  I  knew 
you  to  be  acquainted  with,  and  therefore  confidered 
it  as  an  imputation  on  us  both,  unworthy  the  no 
tice  of  either.  If  I  did  not  fufficiently  meafure  the 
malignity  of  your  difpoiition,  or  thought  more 
favourably  of  you  than  I  ought  to  have  done,  I  am 
content  to  acknowledge  my  error,  and  do  you  full 
juftice  in  this  refped:  for  ever  hereafter. 

As  this  performance  is  intended  for  the  public 
view,  as  well  as  yours,  it  is  neceffary  to  State  my 
Situation  a  little  before  and  at  the  period  wherein 
this  fuppofed  defection  was  meditated. 

At  the  opening  of  the  war,  I  accompanied  gene 
ral  Washington  from  this  city  to  Cambridge,  where 
the  public  fervice  and  his  wishes  unexpectedly  de 
tained  me  during  the  campaign.  Having  no  view 
of  becoming  a  profeSIional  foldier,  I  returned  in  the 
winter  to  the  purfuits  of  civil  life.  At  the  opening 
of  the  next  campaign,  general  Gates  being  advanced 
to  a  feparate  command,  I  was  earnestly  preSTed  by 
the  commander  in  chief  to  accept  the  poft  of  ad 
jutant  general,  with  an  intimation  that  the  rank  of 
a  general  oSHcer  might  be  annexed ;  the  latter  I 

declined 


(  12  ) 

declined,  to  the  former  I  reluctantly  yielded.  In 
the  courfe  of  thefe  events,  and  the  conftant  follower 
of  all  his  fortunes,  I  was  happy  enough  to  gain  a 
very  great  fhare  of  his  confidence  and  efteem.  A 
feries  of  misfortunes  during  the  campaign  foured 
the  army,  and  deftroyed  the  little  difcipline  we  had 
eftablifhed.  It  was  my  duty  to  preferve  it.  My 
feelings  on  this  fubjedt,  and  the  inactivity  of  the 
poft,  confpired  to  determine  me  to  refign  it  at  the 
clofe  of  the  campaign,  which  I  notified  in  the  au 
tumn  to  the  committee  of  Congrefs  at  camp,  and 
to  fundry  members,  that  a  fucceflbr  might  be  pro 
vided.  In  the  courfe  of  our  retreat  through  the 
Jerfies,  I  was  difpatched  on  public  bufinefs  to  the 
legiflature  of  New  Jerfey  at  Burlington,  where  my 
family  had  retired.  By  this  time  the  enemy  had 
advanced  to  Brunfwick,  where  they  propofed  to 
finifh  the  campaign,  making  that  their  advanced 
quarters,  as  we  intended  ours  at  Trenton  or  Prince 
ton. 

The  time  was  now  come  when  I  conceived  I 
might  refign  my  commiflion  with  propriety,  and  I 
accordingly  enclofed  it  to  Mr.  Hancock,  then  pre- 
fident  of  Congrefs.  At  midnight  of  that  very  day, 
I  received  a  meflage  from  general  Wafhington,  that, 
invited  by  the  broken  ftate  of  our  troops,  the  ene 
my  had  changed  their  plan,  and  were  rapidly  ad 
vancing  towards  the  Delaware;  upon  which  I 
inftantly  fent  off  a  fpecial  meflenger  to  recal  the 
commiflion,  and  refolved  to  return  to  the  army  and 
abide  its  fate.  He  was  in  time  to  deliver  my  letter 
before  Congrefs  had  met,  and  returned  with  the 

commiflion, 


(       '3       ) 

commiffion,  with  which  I  joined  general  Wafhing- 
ton  at  Trenton  the  next  morning ;  leaving  my 
family,  confifting  of  an  aged  mother,  a  beloved  wife 
of  delicate  frame,  with  an  infant  a  few  weeks  old, 
and  three  fmall  children,  to  find  a  retreat  in  the 
pines  of  Weft  Jerfey. 

It  is  not  neceffary  to  enter  into  a  particular  detail 
of  the  proceedings  of  the  army  for  the  few  days 
they  lay  at  Trenton.  The  difaftrous  ftate  of  public 
affairs  had  by  this  time  brought  out  a  great  body  of 
the  militia  of  Pennfylvania ;  when  the  feeble  con 
dition  of  our  army  obliged  us  to  crofs  the  Delaware. 
The  militia  were  ordered  to  Briftol,  and  the  re 
mainder  of  the  troops  cantoned  along  the  river,  so 
as  to  oppofe  any  attempts  of  the  enemy  to  crofs  it. 
In  every  ftage  of  our  progrefs,  on  every  movement, 
the  writer  of  thefe  remarks  was  confulted  either 
publicly  or  privately,  and  often  both.  From 
motives  of  fpecial  confidence  he  was  ordered  to 
Briftol,  where  general  Cadwallader  commanded, 
and  from  that  ipecial  confidence  communications 
were  made  to  him  in  preference  even  to  the  com 
manding  officer,  as  the  general's  letter  of  the  23d 
of  December  will  evince. 

Though  fpecially  fent  by  general  Wafhington  for 
the  exprels  purpofe  of  affifting  general  Cadwallader, 
(who,  whatever  his  abilities  were,  had  lefs  experi 
ence  of  actual  fervice,)  I  was  received  with  cool 
civility,  and  very  few  marks  of  private  attention ; 
but  at  the  fame  time  confulted  without  referve  on 
our  military  affairs.  However,  I  rendered  every 
fervice  in  my  power  ;  and  as  intelligence  was  of  the 

utnioft 


(        '4       ) 

utmoft  importance  both  to  general  Washington  and 
ourfelves,  in  conjunction  with  colonel  Cox  of  New 
Jerfey,  every  exertion  in  our  power  was  made  to 
procure  it.  This  we  were  enabled  to  effect  through 
the  medium  of  fome  perfons  of  Burlington,  with 
whom  our  refidence  had  formed  an  intereft.  In  the 
courfe  of  this  bufinefs  it  was  neceffary  to  pafs  fre 
quently  to  that  place:  On  one  of  thefe  occafions 
the  inhabitants  applied  to  me  for  relief  from  the 
incurfions  of  our  troops,  efpecially  the  gallymen, 
who  diftreffed  them,  without  affording  any  advan 
tage  to  us.  As  the  Heffian  patroles  came  daily  to 
town,  I  obferved  it  would  be  difficult  and  hardly 
reafonable  to  reftrain  our  troops,  unlefs  the  enemy 
would  fubmit  to  the  like  reftriction.  It  was  then 
fuggefled,  that  fuch  a  propofition  mould  be  made 
to  count  Donop,  who  commanded  the  Britifh  and 
Heffian  troops  ;  and  I  wrote  a  few  unfealed  lines  to 
that  effect,  which  an  inhabitant  of  Burlington  un 
dertook  to  deliver.  The  whole  tranfaction  was  of 
a  public  nature,  and  in  the  prefence  of  feveral  gen 
tlemen  who  had  accompanied  me  from  Briftol. 
The  bearer  of  my  letter  found  count  Donop  on  his 
march  to  the  Black  Horfe,  and  brought  back  an 
open  letter  mentioning  that  circumftance,  and  that 
as  foon  as  his  fituation  would  admit,  he  would  ap 
point  a  place  of  conference  on  the  propofition. 
Having  thus  far  complied  with  the  defire  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Burlington,  who  are  chiefly  of  a 
peaceable  quiet  character,  and  from  their  inoffeniive 
conduct,  as  well  as  the  fervices  we  were  daily  re 
ceiving  from  fome  of  them,  intitled  to  this  office  of 

kindnefs, 


(       '5       ) 

kindnefs,  I  returned  to  Briftol :  But  that  I  may 
clofe  this  t  ran  faction,  without  interrupting  my  nar 
rative  of  events,  I  (hall  here  obferve,  that  I  was  in 
formed  a  flag  came  into  Burlington  a  few  days  after, 
with  an  open  letter  from  count  Donop,  appointing 
a  place  of  conference,  which  was  fent  over  to  Briftol, 
and  delivered  to  general  Cadwallader  in  my  abfence. 
The  tide  of  American  fortune  foon  after  turned; 
count  Donop  retreated  to  Brunfwick,  and  I  never 
faw  or  heard  from  him  afterwards.  This  inftance 
of  humanity  has  been  repeatedly  perverted  into  a 
criminal  correfpondence  with  the  enemy,  by  the 
friends  of  thole  very  perfons  in  whofe  favour  it  was 
exercifed,  and  propagated  in  a  news  paper  which 
derives  its  principal  fupport  from  them. 

It  was  about  this  period,  that  perceiving  our 
militia  gradually  diflblving,  and  thofe  who  remained 
growing  disheartened  by  a  feries  of  unfortunate 
events ;  New  Jerfey  in  a  great  degree  conquered 
and  fubmitting  to  the  enemy;  the  firft  of  January 
faft  approaching,  which  terminated  the  enliftment 
of  a  conliderable  number  of  troops  ;  and  authorifed 
by  that  confidence  and  freedom  with  which  general 
Washington  had  ever  treated  me,  I  wrote  him  a 
long  and  cogent  letter,  the  fcope  of  which  was  to 
convince  him  that  we  could  no  longer  with  fafety 
adhere  to  our  defenfive  fyftem,  for  which  I  had 
ever  been  an  advocate ;  that  the  time  was  now  come 
in  which  offenfive  operations  muft  take  place  ;  that 
defeat  would  not  have  worfe  confequences  than  in 
activity  ;  and  that  the  enemy's  detached  (ituation,  I 
apprehended,  afforded  a  fair  opportunity  of  ftriking 


(       16       ) 

a  decifive  blow.  It  is  not  one  of  the  leaft  of  the 
virtues  of  this  excellent  character,  that  his  ears  and 
mind  are  ever  open  to  information  and  advice, 
when  properly  conveyed,  even  from  perfons  of 
much  inferior  rank  to  that  I  then  held.  In  a  fhort 
time  after  my  letter  was  received,  I  was  fent  for  to 
his  quarters;  where  he  in  the  utmoft  confidence 
communicated  to  me  the  outlines  of  the  plan  for 
attacking  the  port  at  Trenton,  and  exprefled  ftrong 
defires  that  in  the  mean  time  the  enemy's  pofts  at 
Black  Horfe,  &c.  might  be  kept  in  alarm,  if  an  actual 
attack  could  not  be  made,  and  requefted  that  we 
would  concert  fome  fuch  meafure  from  Briftol ; 
when  I  returned  thither,  the  freeft  communications 
paffed  between  general  Cadwallader  and  myfelf  on 
this  fubjedt ;  the  refill t  of  which  was,  that  I  mould 
go  over  to  Mount  Holly  to  colonel  S.  Griffin,  who 
commanded  a  small  corps  of  militia  and  volunteers, 
and  had  advanced  to  that  place  within  a  few  miles 
of  the  enemy,  and  from  whofe  activity  we  expected 
a  vigorous  co-operation.  I  accordingly  went  over 
under  cover  of  the  night,  accompanied  only  by 
colonel  Cox;  we  found  colonel  Griffin  very  much 
indifpofed,  and  the  condition  of  his  troops  both  in 
number,  and  effective  expectations,  compared  with 
thofe  of  the  enemy,  fuch  as  extinguifhed  every  hope 
from  that  quarter.  We  returned  to  Briftol  at  mid 
night,  and  on  the  very  next  day  the  enemy  diflodged 
him  with  great  eafe ;  his  corps  foon  after  diflblved, 
and  he  returned  to  Philadelphia.  This  was  the 
plan  hinted  at  in  general  Wafhington's  letter  of  the 
23d  December. 

At 


(       17      ) 

At  this  juncture  the  plan  of  attack  on  the  Hef- 
fians  at  Trenton  was  completed,  and  preparations 
made  for  carrying  it  into  effect,  on  the  morning  of 
the  26th  of  December ;  when  it  was  fuppofed  that 
the  feStivity  of  the  preceding  day  would  make  fur- 
prife  more  eafy  and  conqueft  more  certain.  As 
foon  as  it  was  fully  determined  general  Washington 
wrote  me  the  letter  of  the  23d  December,  which 
will  certainly  convey  to  every  unprejudiced  mind,  a 
clear  idea  of  the  unbounded  confidence  repofed  in 
my  fidelity,  at  fo  critical  a  period,  when  the  fate  of 
America  hung  in  moSt  critical  and  awful  fufpence. 
This  letter  of  courfe  I  communicated  to  general 
Cadwallader  ;  and  as  colonel  Griffin  had  retired,  and 
general  Washington  expreffed  fuch  earned  defires 
that  a  diverfion  Should  be  made  for  count  Donop, 
we  concluded  to  engage  general  Putnam,  then  at 
Philadelphia,  to  attempt  it,  by  crofling  at  Cooper's 
Ferry,  with  the  troops  then  daily  coming  in.  A 
difficulty  then  prefented,  how  we  Should  make  the 
communication  to  general  Putnam,  without  entrufl- 
ing  this  important  Secret  farther  than  prudence  and 
the  general's  ftrong  injunctions  would  warrant. 
After  various  Suggestions  general  Cadwallader,  with 
fome  apologies,  propofed  th,  t  I  mould  go  and  en 
force  it  with  perSonal  influence.  I  accordingly  fet 
out  in  the  evening,  and  reached  Philadelphia  at 
midnight ;  upon  conference  with  general  Putnam, 
he  reprefented  the  ftate  of  the  militia,  the  general 
confuiion  which  prevailed,  his  apprehenfion  of  an 
infurrection  in  the  city  in  his  abSence,  and  many 
other  circumSlances  in  Such  Strong  terms,  as  con- 

C  vinced 


vinced  me  no  affiftance  could  be  derived  from  him. 
I  lay  down  for  a  few  hours,  and  when  the  morn 
ing  came,  a  number  of  gentlemen,  among  whom  I 
particularly  recoiled:  colonel  Moylan,  Mr.  James 
Meafe  and  Mr.  R.  Peters,  came,  and  anxioufly  en 
quired  into  our  fituation  and  profpects.  They  can 
tell  whether  defpondency  or  animation,  hope  or 
apprehenfion  moft  prevailed,  and  whether  the  lan 
guage  I  held  was  not  the  very  reverfe  of  defpair ; 
the  former  may  remember,  that  when  urged  to  ftay 
and  partake  of  a  focial  entertainment  provided  for 
the  day,  I  declared  my  refolution  that  no  confidera- 
tion  fhould  prevent  my  return  to  the  army  imme 
diately  ;  and  that  in  a  private  converfation  I  prefled 
him  to  do  the  fame,  left  he  fhould  lofe  a  glorious 
opportunity  to  ferve  his  country  and  diftinguifh 
himfelf.  I  was  not  at  liberty  to  be  perfe&ly  ex 
plicit,  but  the  hint  was  fufficient  to  a  brave  officer. 
Having  been  longer  detained  by  general  Putnam 
than  I  wifhed,  it  was  evening  when  I  reached  Briftol, 
and  found  the  troops  paraded  to  march  to  Dunk's 
Ferry,  in  order  to  crois  at  that  place,  and  proceed 
to  Mount  Holly,  where  count  Donop  then  lay. 
This  was  part  of  the  general  plan  of  attack  formed 
againft  the  enemy's  detached  ports.  Upon  our 
arrival  at  the  ferry,  the  advanced  parties  paffed  over 
without  difficulty  :  but  we  foon  found,  that,  by  a 
ftrange  inattention  of  our  general  to  the  tide  and 
ftate  of  the  river,  the  paflage  of  the  troops  and 
artillery  would  be  exceedingly  difficult  if  not  im 
practicable  ;  with  the  change  of  the  tide  the  ice  was 
caft  up  in  fuch  heaps  on  the  Jerfey  more  that  a 

landing 


(        '9       ) 

landing  for  men  was  fcarcely  practicable,  for  horfes 
and  cannon  impoffible.  A  fingle  hour,  which  we 
might  have  enjoyed  with  equal  convenience  and 
equal  rifk,  if  proper  precautions  had  been  taken, 
made  the  difference  of  paffing  to  a  fcene  probably 
of  equal  glory  with  that  of  Trenton,  or  returning 
with  mortification  and  difappointment  to  the  village 
we  had juft  left.  The  vigorous  exertions  of  major 
(now  colonel)  Eyres,  and  the  officers  and  men  under 
his  command,  on  the  river  did  them  much  honour, 
and  convinced  every  one,  that  had  it  been  poffible 
the  paffage  would  have  been  effected.  For  myfelf, 
anxious  to  fill  up  the  part  of  this  glorious  plan 
affigned  to  us,  and  having  often  feen  difficulties  de- 
fcribed  asinfuperable,  which  on  trial  had  been  found 
otherwife,  I  paffed  over  with  my  horfe  to  fee  and 
judge  for  myfelf.  The  difficulties  I  found  in  land 
ing  convinced  me  that  the  attempt  to  pafs  the  army 
was  vain,  and  thefe  were  foon  heightened  by  a  moft 
violent  ftorm  of  fnow,  rain  and  hail  alternately,  ac 
companied  with  a  furious  wind  at  northeaft.  I  fent 
a  meffage  to  general  Cadwallader,  that  the  landing 
of  horfes  and  artillery  was  impoffible.  Our  great 
anxiety  then  was  to  repafs  the  troops  without  alarm 
ing  the  enemy,  who  were  within  a  few  miles,  which 
was  not  effected  but  with  great  hazard  and  infinite 
labour.  Having  feen  the  laft  man  re-embarked, 
and  finding  it  impracticable  to  repafs  the  river  with 
horfes,  I  proceeded  in  company  with  another  gentle 
man, who  was  in  a  like  fituation,  before  day  to  Bur 
lington,  where  we  remained  in  a  kind  of  concealment, 
till  the  weather  and  other  circumftances  permitted  us 

to 


(          2°          ) 

to  join  the  troops  again  at  Briftol.  Here  we  all  con 
tinued  near  thirty  fix  hours  in  great  uncertainty, 
but  with  much  anxiety  for  the  event  of  the  attack  at 
Trenton,  which  the  found  of  the  cannon  fully  in 
formed  us  had  taken  place  at  the  time  propofed. 
During  this  interval  the  impreffions  which  had  been 
made  by  our  difappointment  at  Dunk's,  the  apparent 
neceffity  of  keeping  up  the  fpirits  of  the  troops  which 
were  hourly  declining,  the  daily  diminution  of  our 
numbers,  and  the  hopes  we  had  formed  of  general 
Washington's  fuccefs,  gave  birth  to  a  plan  of  crolTing 
over  into  New  Jerfey  a  fecond  time,  and  attacking 
fome  of  the  enemy's  ports.  Accordingly  we  march 
ed  on  the  morning  of  the  2yth ;  but  experience 
having  taught  us  to  pay  fome  attention  to  the  tide 
and  circumftances  of  landing,  a  fuitable  place  was 
pointed  out  two  miles  above  Briftol,  and  a  pradli- 
cable  time  of  tide  feledied.  When  part  of  the  troops 
had  crofied,  and  the  remainder  were  ready  to  pals, 
we  received  an  authentic  account  of  the  fuccefs  at 
Trenton  :  to  which  was  added  the  important  cir- 
cumftance,  that  the  victorious  troops  with  their 
prilbners  had  returned  immediately  to  Pennfylvania, 
and  had  refumed  their  former  cantonments  on  the 
banks  of  the  Delaware.  This  immediately  occa- 
fioned  a  divifion  in  our  councils  :  Many  gentlemen 
were  importunate  to  return,  among  whom  was 
colonel  Hitchcock  who  commanded  the  continental 
troops,  and  thole  gentlemen  who  poffeffed  much 
more  of  the  commanding  officer's  friendship  than  I 
could  ever  pretend  to.  My  opinion,  delivered  with 
earneftneis  was  to  remain  in  New  Jerfey,  and  pro- 

fecute 


fecute  our  plan,  as  one  that  in  our  circumftances, 
admitted  of  no  alteration  ;  I  urged  the  probability 
of  general  Wafhington's  return,  as  foon  as  his  troops 
were  refremed,  and  his  prifoners  difpofed  of;  that 
our  militia  were  diffatisfied  at  being  ib  frequently 
called  out  to  an  appearance  of  action,  and  being  as 
fuddenly  withdrawn,  that  with  the  river  between 
us  and  Philadelphia,  there  would  be  leis  defertion, 
and  perhaps  more  confidence  in  time  of  danger,  as 
retreat  was  lefs  practicable.  Amidft  this  clam  of 
opinions,  perceiving  general  Cadwallader  to  hefitate, 
and  fearing  he  would  incline  to  an  immediate  re 
turn,  as  a  middle  courfe  I  propofed  going  to  Bur 
lington,  from  whence  the  troops  might  proceed  to 
Briftol,  or  againft  the  enemy  as  events  or  intelli 
gence  might  direct.  A  letter  feafonably  received 
from  my  brother,  at  Burlington,  who  had  been  very 
ufeful  to  us  in  the  article  of  intelligence,  determined 
the  doubtful  point  in  favour  of  that  place.  This 
letter  imported,  that  there  was  reafon  to  believe  that 
count  Donop  had  broke  up  his  pofts,  and  was  re 
treating. 

Almoft  at  the  inftant  of  determination,  intelli 
gence  came  that  fome  of  our  people  reconnoitering 
a  wood  through  which  were  we  to  pafs,  had  defcried 
a  party  of  the  enemy  evidently  waiting  for  us,  this 
had  nearly  reverfed  our  new  formed  defign  ;  dread 
ing  its  operation  in  this  way,  and  doubting  the  truth 
of  the  information,  I  requefted  the  troops  might 
keep  their  ground,  and  I  would  perfonally  explore 
thole  woods,  which  I  did  in  company  with  colonel 
Cox  and  colonel  Cowperthwait,  the  gentleman  who 

had 


(         22         ) 

had  been  with  me  the  preceding  evening  at  Bur 
lington.  My  fufpicions  were  juftified ;  there  was 
no  enemy  there.  Intelligence  was  fent  to  general 
Cadwallader,  and  the  troops  moved  on  to  Burling 
ton,  the  two  gentlemen  proceeded  with  me  towards 
the  enemy's  pofts,  which  we  found  had  been  pre 
cipitately  abandoned  the  evening  before,  in  confe- 
quence  of  orders  from  count  Donop.  We  then 
proceeded  on  to  Bordentown,  which  had  been 
evacuated  in  the  fame  manner ;  here  colonel  Cow- 
perthwait  returned  with  intelligence  of  the  enemy's 
retreat,  and  that  it  was  accompanied  with  every 
mark  of  confufion  and  fear.  From  Burlington  we 
proceeded  to  Trenton,  where  we  arrived  about  two 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  found  it  unoccupied 
by  troops  of  either  party.  I  inftantly  difpatched  a 
meflenger  to  general  Wafhington,  to  inform  him  of 
the  fituation  of  New  Jerfey,  of  our  having  crofled 
the  river,  and  fubmitted  to  his  judgment  the  pro 
priety  of  pafling  over  his  own  troops,  to  purfue  the 
flying  enemy  ;  he  approved  my  fentiments  and  con 
duct  in  a  letter  I  received  from  him  the  next  morn 
ing,  which  in  this  length  of  time,  is  loft  or  miflaid. 
About  twelve  o'clock  the  advanced  light  troops 
came  into  Trenton,  with  directions  to  receive  far 
ther  orders  from  me ;  which  were  to  purfue,  har- 
rafs  the  enemy,  and  if  poffible  delay  them  till  our 
main  body  came  up ;  but  they  had  advanced  too 
far  for  fuccefsful  purfuit.  After  very  animated  ex 
ertions,  both  by  the  continental  troops  and  militia, 
the  enemy  preserved  an  unbroken  retreat  to  Brunf- 
wick. 

The 


The  commander  in  chief  came  into  Trenton  on 
the  agth  December;  on  the  3<Dth  the  militia  were 
ordered  up  from  Croffwicks  to  join  the  main  army, 
in  confequence  of  intelligence  being  received  of  a 
movement   of  the  enemy  from    New  Brunfwick. 
The  events  of  this  critical  interval,  till  we  turned  the 
rear  of  the  Britifh  army,  by  our  march  to  Princeton 
and  Morriftown,  though  of  great  importance  in 
themfelves,  are  not  material  to  my  prefent  purpofe. 
I  fhall  therefore  only  fay,  that  I  doubt  not  the  pen  of 
fome  future  military  hiftorian  will  do  them  juftice, 
and  defcribe  them,  as  he  juftly  may  (under  Provi 
dence)  deciiive  of  the  fate  of  America.     The  nature 
and  value  of  the  fervices  rendered  in  thefe  import 
ant  hours  by  the  author  of  thefe  remarks  were  then 
well  known ;  but  as  they  have  no  immediate  con 
nection  with  the  prefent  defign,  delicacy  forbids  his 
proceeding    farther.      One    circumftance    only    he 
would  wifh  to  preferve  from  the  oblivion  to  which 
the  fervices   of  thofe   days  are  faft   haftening,   and 
that  for  the  honour  of  the  city  troop :  this  corps, 
though  fo  redundant  in  more  peaceable  times,  was 
then  diminifhed  to  about  twelve  or  fifteen,  who  did 
honour  to  the  ftate  and  themfelves  by  their  fervices 
and  perfeverance ;  though  I  have  not  been  favoured 
with  many  recent  marks  of  their  regard  as  a  corps, 
they  did  not  then  think  themfelves  difhonoured  by 
the  command  which  led  to  the  victory  and  capture 
of  double  their  own  number  of  Britifh  dragoons  in 
the  vicinity  of   Princeton  :      An  event    the  more 
honourable  to   them,   as   it   ftands   unrivalled ;  no 
militia  cavalry  during  the  war,  having  to  my  recol 
lection, 


(          24          ) 

lection,  performed  any  exploit  of  that  nature,  or  of 
equal  gallantry. 

From  this  narrative  of  facts,  fupported  by  the 
annexed  letters  and  certificates,  the  judicious  reader, 
I  think,  will  draw  the  following  inferences : 

Firft,  That  the  author  of  thefe  remarks  ftood 
high  in  the  confidence  of  the  commander  in  chief  at 
the  moft  critical  and  dangerous  period  of  the  war. 

Secondly,  That  he  was  intruded  with  the  moft 
important  fecrets  of  the  campaign,  a  difclofure  of 
which  either  through  weakneis  or  treachery,  muft 
have  been  attended  with  the  moft  fatal  confequences 
to  America. 

Thirdly,  That  his  regard  to  the  public  welfare 
did  not  (hew  itfelf  in  cold  and  lifelefs  wifhes,  but 
by  an  active,  vigorous,  open  oppofition  to  the  enemy, 
and  a  zealous  attention  to  our  own  interefts. 

Fourthly,  That  at  this  critical  and  trying  period 
he  relumed  his  commiffion,  which  he  had  refigned 
through  miftake,  and  refolved  to  partake  of  the 
danger  of  the  day  ;  when,  though  not  perhaps  with 
honour,  yet  with  much  lefs  reproach  and  flander 
than  he  has  iince  met  with,  he  might  have  remain 
ed  a  fpeclator  of  events,  and  governed  himfelf  by 
them. 

Fifthly,  That  no  fuch  fufpicions  or  doubts  were 
manifefted  at  that  time  ;  but  on  the  other  hand,  the 
officers  and  militia  in  general  were  impreiled  with 
fentiments  of  a  very  different  nature. 

Sixthly,  That  general  Cadwallader,  at  the  very 
period  in  which  he  recollects  an  intended  abandon 
ment  of  the  public  caufe,  communicated  with  him 

without 


without  referve,  afked,  and  followed  his  advice, 
depended  on  his  intelligence,  and  in  fliort  put  his 
own  fate,  that  of  his  troops,  and  even  of  his  coun 
try,  into  his  hands. 

I  now  proceed  to  fubfequent  tranfadtions,  which 
though  not  perhaps  fo  directly  connected  with  my 
fubject  as  thofe  already  related,  will,  I  apprehend, 
affift  in  forming  a  clear  judgment  of  the  fact  in 
question. 

After  the  fuccefles  of  the  winter  and  fpring,  I  had 
the  honour  of  being  appointed  a  general  officer, 
with  a  view  to  the  command  of  the  cavalry.  Par 
ticular  reafons,  not  neceflary  here  to  enumerate, 
prevented  my  acceptance  of  this  command.  How 
ever,  I  ftill  attended  the  army,  where  my  fervices 
were  chearfully  given,  and  favourably  received. 
From  the  entrance  of  the  Britim  army  into  Penn- 
fylvania,  till  the  clofe  of  the  campaign  in  1777,  I 
was  feldom  abfent.  In  this  period,  and  fome  fliort 
time  before  the  battle  of  Germantown,  general 
Cadwallader  joined  the  army  as  a  volunteer :  A 
fimilarity  of  circumftances,  (he  having  alfo  declined 
the  above  command)  together  with  common  dan 
ger  and  mutual  fervice,  formed  a  new  attachment 
between  us ;  we  went  on  the  fame  duty  together, 
and  were  frequently  confulted  by  the  commander 
in  chief  in  his  operations.  At  the  battle  of  German- 
town,  we  fought  by  each  other's  fide ;  at  White- 
marfli  we  affifted  general  Potter  in  drawing  up  the 
militia,  though  we  did  not  on  that  day  partake  of 
equal  danger.  The  intercourfe  ariling  from  thefe 

D  mingled 


mingled  duties  and  fervices,  which  were  continued 
until  the  army  went  into  winter  quarters  at  the  Valley 
Forge,  foon  did  away  the  coolnefs  which  had  for 
fome  years  fubfifted,  and  in  no  fmall  degree  revived 
our  former  habits  of  friendship.  He  faw  the  con 
fidence  placed  in  me  by  the  general ;  his  own  com  - 
munications  plainly  fhewed  he  did  not  diftruft  me  ; 
he  fuffered  the  former,  nay  joined  in  folliciting  me 
to  come  to  head  quarters,  to  affift  in  council  on  the 
moft  interefting  affairs,  as  his  letter  of  the  3Oth 
November  1777,  will  teftify.  Either,  then,  nothing 
unworthy  of  efteem  and  confidence  had  occurred  ; 
or,  by  that  peculiar  inconfiftency  to  which  men  of 
weak  judgment  and  ftrong  paffions  are  naturally 
fubjecl:,  he  carefled  a  man  whom  he  ought  to  have 
defpifed,  and  confided  in  one  he  ought  to  have  dif- 
trufted. 

In  the  fall  of  the  year  1777,  I  urged  him  by 
letter  fo  far  to  waive  his  difguft  to  the  conftitution 
of  Pennfylvania,  as  to  ferve  in  fome  military  char- 
after  under  the  ftate,  againft  the  common  enemy; 
a  character  which  required  no  teft  or  political  en 
gagements,  and  in  which,  with  prudence  and  dif- 
cretion,  he  might  probably  have  effedted  fome  of 
thofe  changes  for  which  he  was  fo  zealous ;  at  leaft 
it  would  have  tended  to  unite  the  force  of  the  ftate 
againft  the  common  enemy;  but  thefe  are  qualities 
which  form  no  part  of  his  character.  His  letter  of 
the  loth  December  1777,  contains  his  anfwer; 
and  fo  ftrcng  and  virulent  was  his  antipathy  to  the 
conftitution,  and  fuch  his  enmities  to  thofe  who 
adminiftered  it,  that  I  verily  believe  he  would  have 

preferred 


(  27          ) 

preferred  any  government  to  that  of  Pennfylvania, 
if  his  perfon  and  property  would  have  been  equally 
lee  u  re. 

My  appointment  to  Congrefs,  and  general  Cad- 
wallader's  return  to  Maryland,  again  feparated  us 
for  a  time;  but  it  was  our  lot  to  meet  again  a  few 
days  before  the  battle  of  Mon mouth  ;  here  we  were 
again  united  in  confidence  and  danger.  After  the 
battle  we  left  the  army  together,  and  that  period 
clofed  our  friendly  intercourfe  forever. 

Upon  our  return  to  Philadelphia,  general  Cad- 
wallader  became  the  open  and  avowed  patron  of 
thofe  who  are  diftinguifhed  by  the  appellation  of 
Tories  :  Not  fatisfied  with  forbearance  and  obli 
vion  of  paft  delinquency,  he  was  ever  exalting  and 
careffing  them.  Such  intemperate  warmth  did  he 
manifeft  in  their  favour,  fanned,  no  doubt,  by  their 
adulation  and  importunities,  that  he  found  himielf 
unfupported  even  by  thofe,  who  on  other  occafions 
did  not  chufe  to  deiert  him,  however  they  might 
difapprove  his  conduct.  Nor  was  his  partiality  to 
Britim  prifoners  lefs  extreme  or  ridiculous.  One 
inftance  cannot  be  forgotten  :  In  the  regulation  of 
the  city  arTembly,  at  which  feveral  gentlemen  then 
attended  from  political  motives,  who  feldom  make 
amulement  matter  of  ferious  consideration, a  queftion 
was  propofed,  Whether  American  officers  mould 
be  admitted  as  fuch,  or  put  on  the  footing  of  com 
mon  ftrangers,  who  need  afpecial  recommendation  ? 
The  latter  was  warmly  urged  by  general  Cadwal- 
lader,  for  this  ungracious  reafon,  that  all  our  officers 
were  not  gentlemen  ;  but  at  the  fame  time  reverfing 

the 


the  reafon,  he  propofed  that  Britifh  officers,  prifon- 
ers,  fhould  receive  this  mark  of  attention,  becaufe 
they  were  all  gentlemen  :  When  it  was  obferved, 
that  American  officers  at  New  York,  fo  far  from 
receiving  any  fuch  marks  of  civility,  were  treated 
with  the  utmoft  contempt,  and  that  it  would  be 
quite  time  enough  to  extend  our  politenefs  in  this 
particular,  when  we  faw  a  fimilar  difpofition  on  the 
part  of  the  enemy ;  he  could  fee  no  propriety  in 
the  remark,  but  left  the  meeting  in  difguft.  The 
fame  decilive  tone  of  attachment  to  the  Britifh  army 
and  their  adherents,  has  marked  every  fubfequent 
period  of  his  life  too  plainly  to  admit  of  doubt 
or  denial.  I  avow  a  different  line  of  conduct. 
While  the  war  continues,  and  independency  unac 
knowledged,  I  think  diftindtions  not  only  grateful 
and  proper,  but  indifpenfably  neceffary  :  After  the 
war  they  ought  to  be  permitted  to  wear  away,  not 
to  be  ungeneroufly  obliterated.  Such  oppofite  fen- 
timents  could  not  remain  long  undifclofed,  or  fail 
of  producing  their  natural  effects;  but  no  oppor 
tunity  offered  of  openly  manifefting  them  for  fome 
time. 

Having  been  called  to  the  chair  of  government 
by  the  unanimous  voice  of  Council  and  Affembly, 
among  the  latter  of  whom  were  general  Cadwal- 
lader's  brother  in  law,  and  many  of  his  intimate 
friends  and  partizans ;  and  induced  to  accept  it  by 
affurances  from  the  leaders  of  the  party,  that  it 
would  unite  the  difcordant  interefts  of  the  then 
divided  ftate  againft  the  common  enemy ;  and 
further,  that  if  I  would  concur  in  offering  to  the 

people 


people  a  reconfideration  of  fome  parts  of  the  con- 
ftitution,  I  fhould  receive  the  utmoft  fupport  and 
refpect,  let  the  iffue  of  the  offer  be  what  it  might: 
Influenced,  I  fay,  by  thefe  confiderations,  I  made 
the  facrifice  of  lucrative  practice,  of  private  eafe 
and  independence.  All  my  part  of  the  engagement 
was  honourably  fulfilled ;  but  the  people  with  un 
expected  unanimity  rejected  the  propofition.  From 
that  moment,  an  implacable  oppofition,  both  per- 
fonal  and  public  immediately  commenced,  which 
under  one  form  or  another  has  continued  ever  fince* 
Confcious  that  the  more  my  conduct  could  be  fcru- 
tinized  the  fairer  it  would  appear,  and  ftill  hoping 
to  reftore  the  wifhed  for  union,  I  invited  a  great 
number  of  the  moft  refpectable  citizens,  including 
members  of  affembly,  council,  magiftrates,  and 
thofe  efpecially  who  compofed  a  new  fociety  created 
for  the  exprefs  purpofe  of oppofing  the  government, 
to  a  public  meeting ;  I  then  in  the  moft  open 
manner  called  upon  them  to  fupport  their  imputa 
tions,  and  fo  effectually  vindicated  every  part  of  my 
conduct,  that  every  gentleman  (general  Cadwallader 
excepted)  acknowledged  his  miftake,  and  at  leaft 
appeared  difpofed  to  do  me  more  juftice  in  future* 
He,  indeed,  with  that  fingularity  and  abfurdity 
which  makes  fo  great  a  part  of  his  character,  thought 
it  was  the  duty  of  the  prefident  of  the  ftate  to  enter 
into  the  violence  of  party  on  his  fide  of  queftion, 
and  that  to  avoid  interfering  on  either,  was  ex 
tremely  criminal.  It  would  be  injuftice  to  the 
gentlemen  of  his  party,  not  to  add,  that  they  did  not 
adopt  his  principles,  although  they  never  changed 

their 


(       3°       ) 

their  conduct;  the  effects  of  which  have  been  fo 
amply  difplayed  ever  fince,  much  doubtlefs  to  the 
honour  and  interefts  of  Pennfylvania.  The  flood 
gates  of  flander  were  immediately  hoifted,  and  the 
torrent  has  continued  with  little  intermiffion  to  this 
moment.  But  facts  were  too  recent,  and  circum- 
ftances  too  well  known,  even  for  the  envenomed 
pen  or  tongue  of  party,  to  venture  for  a  confiderable 
time  fo  coarfe  and  improbable  a  ftory  as  the  fubject 
of  thefe  remarks  ;  the  ftomachs  of  the  people  were 
not  prepared  to  digeft  fo  hard  a  morfel,  till  they 
had  undergone  iome  previous  preparation.  The 
profecution  of  general  Arnold,  I  have  no  doubt, 
gave  rife  to  it.  In  fcreening  him  from  juftice,  it 
was  neceffary  to  raife  fome  frefh  calumny,  that 
might  divert  the  people  from  his  real  guilt.  His 
kind  and  zealous  friends,  who  did  themfelves  fo 
much  honour,  and  their  country  fuch  eminent  fer- 
vice  in  that  bufinefs,  firft  whifpered  what  he  after 
wards  infinuated  ;  and  when  a  number  of  years  had 
elapfed,  it  was  then  thought  fafe  to  ufher  it  to  the 
world  under  the  aufpices  of  general  John  Cadwal- 
lader. 

From  thefe  facts,  fupported  by  the  letters  and 
certificates  annexed,  I  draw  thefe  inferences : 

Firft,  That  general  Cadwallader,  after  the  time 
and  fuppofed  tranfaction  referred  to,  not  only  per 
mitted  general  Washington  to  repofe  intire  confi 
dence  in  me,  but  did  fo  himfelf,  and  renewed  our 
long  fufpended  intimacy. 

Secondly,  That  he  faw  me  raifed  to  the  firft 
office  in  Pennfylvania,  his  own  moft  particular 

friends 


friends  voting  for  me,  which  as  men  of  integrity 
they  ought  not  to  have  done,  if  I  had  been  an  un 
worthy  character  ;  or  it  muft  follow,  that  he  did 
not  think  it  of  fufficient  confequence  to  inform  them 
of  what  he  now  efteems  a  capital  defed  in  my 
character  ;  or  that  the  fad:  did  not  exift  at  this  time, 
even  in  his  own  imagination. 

Thirdly,  That  this  imputation  was  not  made 
until  parties  ran  high,  and  prejudices  raifed,  fo  as  to 
favour  the  reception  of  any  tale,  without  thought 
or  enquiry. 

The  evidence  ariiing  from  a  train  of  well  con 
nected  circumftances,  muft  be  allowed  to  be  fupe- 
rior  to  any  other.  The  memories  of  men  may  fail  ; 
their  minds  are  fubjed  to  the  warp  of  prejudice 
and  paffion ;  they  may  convert  into  ferious  import 
what  was  dropt  in  jeft,  and  from  falfe  pride  perfift, 
in  what  they  have  faid,  becaufe  they  have  faid  it, 
even  againft  the  conviction  of  their  own  confciences: 
But  circumftances  cannot  fo  deceive,  nor  are  they 
fubjed  to  the  like  errors.  Now  I  appeal  to  every 
unprejudiced  reader,  whether  this  tale  is  not  only 
unfupported,  but  even  contradicted  by  every  cir- 
cumftance  naturally  arifing  in  the  courfe  of  fuch  a 
tranfadion.  To  fupport  it,  my  intention  and  con- 
dud  muft  have  been  in  the  moft  ftrange  unnatural 
oppoiition  to  each  other.  Setting  afide  every  pre- 
fumption  arifing  from  my  early  oppofition  to  the 
claims  of  Great  Britain,  and  the  faithful  fervice  of 
two  campaigns,  I  afk,  Whether  it  is  probable  I 
meditated  an  abandonment  of  the  American  caufe 
and  army,  when  I  refumed  my  commiffion  after 

having 


(       32       ) 

having  reiigned  it?  When,  inftead  of  taking  care 
of  my  family  flying  into  the  wildernefs  they  knew 
not  whither,  I  joined  general  Wafhington  under 
every  circumftance  of  diftrefs?  Whether  I  medi 
tated  a  junction  with  the  enemy  at  the  very  time  I 
was  exerting  myfelf  day  and  night  to  give  them 
effe&ual  oppofition  ?  When  I  may  fay  (without 
arrogating  too  much)  I  was  the  life  and  foul  of  in 
telligence  to  the  American  army  ;  which  the  enemy 
well  knew.  Was  it  the  way  to  recommend  myfelf 
to  their  favour  to  do  them  all  poffible  injury  before 
I  joined  my  fate  to  theirs  ?  And  is  this  confident 
with  the  experience  and  conduct  of  mankind  in 
fuch  cafes  ?  Is  it  probable  I  mould  have  engaged 
my  brother  in  fimilar  fervice,  and  fent  my  family 
from  eafe  and  comfort  to  hardfhip  and  diftrefs,  if  I 
meant  to  reconcile  him  or  myfelf  to  the  foe?  But 
thefe  are  among  the  leaft  improbabilities.  Is  it  not 
utterly  incredible,  that  I  mould  withhold  fuch  a 
communication  or  fentiment  from  my  moft  inti 
mate  friends  and  relations,  and  make  it  to  a  perfon 
with  whom  I  had  held  no  friendfhip  for  many  years, 
who  had  received  me  with  coldnefs,  in  whofe 
power  and  whofe  duty  it  was  immediately  to  have 
prevented  the  execution  of  fuch  a  delign  ?  My 
enemies  admit  I  have  fome  underftanding,  or  my 
deftruction  would  not  have  been  of  fo  much  im 
portance  to  them;  but  this  behaviour  would  turn 
me  into  an  abfolute  ideot.  But  what  (hall  we  fay  to 
general  Cadwallader,  who  before,  at,  and  after  the 
fuppofed  tranfadion  not  only  intrufted  me  with  all 
his  own  military  fecrets,  but  depended  upon  me  for 

intelligence, 


(       33       ) 

intelligence,  governed  himfelf  by  it,  and  permitted 
general  Wafhington  to  do  the  fame,  without  the 
flighteft  precaution,  or  the  moft  diftant  hint;  and 
that  too  not  on  trivial  and  ordinary  matters,  but  on 
the  moft  critical  occaiions,  when  the  fate  of  the 
army,  and  moft  probably  of  America,  depended  on 
inviolable  fidelity.  It  may  be  faid  (becaufe  it  has  been 
faid)  that  the  reafon  why  no  meafures  were  taken  by 
general  Cadwallader  againft  me  was,  becaufe  the  mi 
litia,  who  had  a  confidence  in  me,  would  have  been 
too  much  alarmed.  But  could  any  thing  be  more 
dangerous  or  juftly  alarming,  than  to  fubject  an  army 
to  deftrudtion  by  betraying  its  fecrets,  and  perhaps 
throwing  it  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  ?  Would 
any  man  fit  to  command  a  body  of  troops  fubjecl: 
them  daily  and  hourly  to  fuch  a  rifque  ?  But  admit 
the  abfurdity  for  a  moment :  Is  there  no  way  to 
guard  againft  an  apprehended  danger  of  this  kind, 
but  by  open  and  violent  meafures  ?  Might  not  a 
perfon  be  fent  away  on  fome  pretence  to  a  diftance  ? 
Might  not  and  ought  not  information  to  be  imme 
diately  given  to  the  fuperior  officer,  fo  as  to  keep 
the  fufpected  party  from  opportunities  of  knowledge 
and  communication,  inftead  of  employing  him  on 
the  moft  confidential  occafions,  and  confulting  with 
him  on  every  emergency  ?  It  is  well  known,  that 
about  this  time  we  had  more  than  one  fufpected 
character  among  us,  but  they  were  narrowly  watch 
ed,  and  excluded  as  much  as  poffible  from  every 
fource  of  intelligence  or  obfervation.  Is  it  not  moft 
aftonifhing  and  incredible,  that  at  this  very  time  the 
militia  mould  have  preferved  fuch  a  confidence  in 

E  me, 


(       34       ) 

me,  and  that  no  circumftance  fhould  occur  to  cor- 
refpond  with  this  imputation,  but  quite  the  reverfe ; 
fo  that,  though  I  have  not  troubled  any  of  the  offi 
cers  with  any  application  on  the  fubjedt,  I  dare 
fafely  appeal  to  them,  whether  they  did  not  give 
me  their  utmoft  confidence  without  fufpicion  or 
diftruft?  When  the  attack  on  the  Heffians  at 
Trenton  was  refolved  on,  was  it  not  extraordinary 
that  I  fhould  be  fele&ed  and  follicited  by  general 
Cadwallader  to  communicate  the  important  intelli 
gence  to  general  Putnam,  and  concert  a  co-opera 
tion  with  him,  and  that  fo  much  reliance  fhould  be 
placed  in  me  the  fucceeding  days  until  our  arrival 
at  Trenton.  Our  affairs  even  then  wore  no  very 
bright  afped:,  and  yet  general  Cadwallader  muft 
acknowledge,  that  I  bore  no  inconfiderable  fhare  of 
that  very  hazardous  movement,  when  fecrefy  and 
fidelity  were  of  fuch  confequence,  that  it  was  in- 
trufted  to  none  but  the  general  officers,  and  then 
only  on  the  point  of  its  being  carried  into  execution. 
Now,  if  it  can  be  mown  that  in  all  this  critical 
feafon,  general  Washington  had  the  leaft  informa 
tion  given  him,  or  fufpicion  raifed,  I  will  acknow 
ledge  that  I  may  poffibly  be  miftaken,  and  that  my 
intentions  and  condud:  were  in  diametrical  oppofi- 
tion  to  each  other.  How  can  it  be  accounted  for 
on  any  principle  of  reafon  or  conliftency,  that 
general  Cadwallader,  after  fo  long  a  filence,  fhould 
renew  our  former  acquaintance,  fee  the  continued 
confidence  of  general  Washington,  call  for  my  af- 
fiftance  and  opinion,  fee  me  elected  and  re-ele&ed 
to  the  Prefidency,  without  publishing  this  delin 
quency 


(       35       ) 

quency  which  he  now  thinks  of  fuch  magnitude,  if 
it  ever  exifted ;  or  if  it  was  of  fo  little  confequence 
as  not  to  deferve  notice  then,  why  is  it  now  to  be 
railed  and  propagated  with  fuch  eagernefs,  when  I 
am  a  private  citizen,  and  feek  no  further  concern 
with  the  government  ? 

But  fome  perfon  may  afk,  Would  general  Cad- 
wallader  hazard  fuch  an  aflertion  without  founda 
tion  ?  I  anfwer,  it  is  difficult  to  refolve  what  a  man 
of  ungovernable  paflions  and  defective  abilities  will 
or  will  not  fay,  when  his  mind  is  inflamed  by  party, 
and  his  breaft  burning  with  difappointed  and  irri 
tated  ambition.  I  can  only  fay,  that  as  no  fuch 
idea  ever  entered  into  my  mind,  I  could  not  difclofe 
it ;  and  he  may  have  miftaken  a  converfation  with 
fome  other  perfon,  or  he  may  have  at  this  diftance 
of  time  converted  fome  jocular  expreffion  (which  I 
do  not  recollect)  into  a  premeditated  delign ;  and 
this  does  not  appear  improbable,  if  I  have  been 
truly  informed,  that  upon  being  queftioned  why  he 
had  not  put  me  under  arreft,  as  he  had  power  to 
do,  after  fo  alarming  a  converfation,  he  anfwered, 
That  he  mould  have  done  fo,  if  he  had  fuppofed 
me  ferious.  Or  I  am  content  to  adopt  that  of  a 
celebrated  modern  writer,  "  That  daily  experience 
"  mews  us,  that  men  riot  only  pretend  to,  but 
"  actually  do  believe  or  difbelieve  almoft  any  pro- 
"  pofitions  which  beft  fuits  their  interefts  and  in- 
"  clinations,  and  unfeignedly  change  their  fincere 
"  opinions  with  their  circumftances  and  fituations." 
But  even  this  will  do  little  to  retrieve  general  Cad- 

wallader's 


(       36       ) 

wallader's  character,  as  it  is  equally  injurious  to  me, 
and  deceptive  upon  the  world. 

I  have  now  done  with  the  gentleman,  unlefs  a 
reply  mould  become  neceflary.  If  it  mould  be 
thought  I  have  exprefled  myfelf  in  terms  of  too 
great  feverity,  I  hope  it  will  be  confidered  what  an 
injurious  and  unprovoked  attack  has  been  made 
upon  me,  and  that  I  am  in  no  refpecl:  the  aggreffor. 
Here  I  leave  him. 

And  now,  my  fellow  citizens  and  countrymen, 
allow  me  to  addrefs  myfelf  to  you.  That  I  am  not 
infenfible  to  your  approbation  and  efteem,  and  that 
I  have  been  felicitous  to  remove  impreffions  of  a 
contrary  tendency,  I  fhall  acknowledge ;  perhaps  I 
have  been  too  folicitous ;  but  I  affure  you  it  pro 
ceeded  as  much  from  a  deiire  to  juftify  your  choice 
of  me  in  a  public  character,  as  from  any  perfonal 
feelings.  In  a  government  like  ours,  where  the  prefs 
is  under  fo  little  reftraint  even  of  truth  or  decency,  it 
appeared  to  me  to  manifeft  a  contempt  of  your  good 
opinion,  if  I  had  not  fought  to  preferve  it  againft 
flanderous  imputations,  of  which  I  knew  mylelf  to 
be  perfectly  innocent.  If  I  have  not  in  all  cafes 
fucceeded,  it  was  becaufe  the  time  was  not  come  ; 
but  that  it  will  come,  I  am  as  well  affured  as  of  my 
own  exiftence.  You  have  feen,  you  have  heard  the 
numberlefs  calumnies  which  have  been  raifed  and 
propagated,  againft  whom — againft  a  man  who 
wanted  a  revolution  to  repair  a  ruined  fortune  or  a 
fhattered  character  ?  no ;  you  well  know  the  latter 

was 


(       37      ) 

was  fpotlefs  till  I  became  the  fervant  of  the  public, 
and  that  I  left  a  lucrative  practice  and  fair  profpects 
to  impoverish  myfelf  in  your  fervice  :  Was  it  againft 
a  man  whofe  backwardnels  in  the  public  caufe  pro- 
craftinated  his  entry  upon  it  to  a  late  hour,  when  a 
judgment  might  be  formed  of  the  event?  no  ;  you 
all  know  that  before  hoftilities  commenced  I  was 
among  the  foremoft,  and  when  that  event  took 
place  I  did  not  lofe  my  ftation  or  rank.  Is  it  againft 
a  man  who  fhrunk  back  from  danger,  when  the 
clouds  of  misfortune  darkened  our  political  horizon ; 
or  held  his  life  dear  in  the  day  of  battle,  when 
deaths  thickened  on  every  fide?  no  !  the  thought 
never  exifted,  until  party  and  oppofition  engendered 
it :  And  with  refpecl:  to  perfonal  danger,  I  knew 
well  that  the  weaknefs  of  our  difcipline,  and  that 
fenfe  of  equality  which  reigns  in  this  country,  re 
quired  us  to  lead  our  troops  and  not  to  follow  them ; 
and  where  is  the  man  who  will  fay  I  ever  pointed 
out  a  danger  to  him  of  which  I  did  not  equally 
partake  ?  The  proofs  were  too  deciiive  to  admit  of 
doubt  or  contradiction ;  if  they  are  already  forgot, 
it  is  not  for  me  to  remind  you  of  them.  When 
the  favourable  opinion  of  my  country  led  the  Britifh 
commiffioners  to  over-rate  my  importance  and  in 
fluence,  and  held  forth  fplendid  offers  of  wealth  and 
power,  I  truft  my  country  had  no  caufe  to  blufh 
for  me,  or  repent  an  ill-placed  confidence.  Yet  I 
owe  it  to  the  premature  folly  and  malice  of  my 
enemies,  that  I  am  not  at  this  moment  fubject  to 
the  cruel  imputation  of  palming  upon  the  world  a 
groundlefs  tale  of  oftentatious  integrity.  An  acci 
dent 


(       38       ) 

dent  for  which  they  are  intitled  to  no  thanks,  pro 
duced  the  only  proof  this  country  could  afford,  or 
which  I  could  ever  have  obtained  in  any.  I  have 
faid  on  another  occafion,  and  I  now  repeat  it,  that  I 
believe  there  are  thoufands  in  America  who  would 
have  adted  a  fimilar  part ;  but  I  fhall  be  pardoned  in 
adding,  that  in  any  other  cafe  than  my  own,  I  mould 
have  thought  them  intitled  to  a  far  different  reward 
than  cruel  imputations  and  malicious  calumnies. 

When  I  left  the  army,  I  entertained  no  other 
than  the  honeft  and  moderate  ambition  of  becom 
ing  a  private  citizen,  and  healing  the  breaches  of 
an  impaired  fortune:  This  was  not  allowed  me. 
Parties,  however  differing  in  other  refpecls  agreed 
in  this,  and  I  was  unanimoufly  elected  prefident  of 
the  ftate  of  Pennfylvania.  The  exigencies  of  the 
war,  the  unfortunate  condition  of  our  currency,  and 
above  all  the  feuds  of  the  ftate,  made  my  duty  dif- 
cult  and  even  dangerous  :  But  did  not  the  ftate  at 
this  period  in  a  very  great  degree  recover  from 
confufion  and  diforder,  to  regular  and  eftablimed 
government,  giving  energy  to  all  its  operations 
againft  the  common  enemy,  and  peace  and  fecurity 
to  its  own  fubjects  ?  When  on  an  unfortunate  oc 
cafion,  the  rafhnefs  of  one  fett  of  citizens  encoun 
tered  the  imprudence  of  another,  and  broke  forth 
into  a  dangerous  tumult ;  when  the  very  gentlemen 
who  had  embroiled  my  adminiftration,  and  planted 
the  chair  of  government  with  thorns,  had  collected 
themfelves,  as  it  were,  for  their  own  deftruclion, 
did  I  hefitate  to  facrifice  every  private  feeling  and 
perfonal  refentment  to  fave  their  lives,  at  no  incon- 

fiderable 


(       39       ) 

fiderable  rifque  of  my  own.  And  yet  this  very 
tranfa&ion  has  been  ftrangely  perverted,  to  preju 
dice  me  in  the  opinion  of  many  well  meaning  citi 
zens,  who  do  not  fufficiently  diftinguifh  between 
the  proper  and  improper  on  every  occafion.  Had 
they  been  my  beft  friends,  I  could  not  have  done 
more  for  their  fafety  and  deliverance ;  and  yet,  I 
am  forry  to  add,  that  it  appears  to  have  been  a 
fource  of  increafed  enmity,  inftead  of  generous  con 
ciliation. 

From  the  moment  that  the  oppofition  to  the 
conftitution  was  organized  every  ftep  was  taken  to 
embarrafs  and  perplex  the  government,  and  vilify 
thofe  who  adminiftered  it ;  when  their  own  internal 
ftrength  failed,  they  fought  aid  from  the  Congrefs 
of  that  day,  and  foreign  influence,  in  which  they 
were  not  always  difappointed.  Mercenary  or  party 
prefles,  fraud,  c:nd  falfehood  were  not  wanting  to 
complete  the  arrangement,  and  thus  they  came 
forth  in  battle  array  againft  that  very  conftitution 
which  the  greater  part  of  them  have  fince  fworn 
to  fupport  and  maintain.  When  defeated,  they 
changed  their  mode  of  attack,  became  fudden  con 
verts  to  this  execrated  form  of  government,  and 
opened  the  batteries  of  flander  and  malice  againft 
the  character  of  individuals  who  had  fupported  the 
conftitution,  now  victorious  over  all  its  enemies. 
It  was  my  fortune  again  to  have  my  importance 
and  abilities  over-rated,  and  to  be  marked  out,  not 
for  temptation,  but  deftruction. 

And  here  I  muft  call  the  attention  of  every  good 
citizen  of  Pennfylvania  to  the  difcovery  of  an  im 
portant 


(       4°       ) 

portant  but  long  difguifed  truth,  that  fince  the  de 
claration  of  the  people  on  the  conftitution  in  1778, 
it  has  been  an  oppofition  to  men  and  not  to  mea- 
fures.  It  clearly  falls  within  Mr.  Hume's  idea  of 
perfonal  faction  or  party,  founded  on  peribnal 
friendship  or  animofity;  but,  as  he  alfo  obferves,  is 
generally  the  cafe,  not  unmixed  with  a  real  differ 
ence  of  fentiment  and  intereft,  in  which  the  firft 
principles  of  affection  or  hatred  are  predominant, 
and  have  the  greateft  influence. 

No  new  facts  have  been  difclofed,  no  important 
events  have  happened,  to  call  for  or  even  juftify  fo 
great  and  material  a  change,  fo  flagrant  a  contra 
diction  of  thofe  fentiments  upon,  and  almoft  abjura 
tions  of  the  conftitution.  It  is  the  fame  as  at  firft 
in  every  iota  :  But  to  poffefs  themfelves  of  the 
offices  and  honours  of  the  ftate,  it  was  neceffary  to 
deftroy  the  public  confidence,  and  calumniate  the 
private  characters  of  thofe  whom  they  now  fought 
to  fucceed.  They  had  not  patience  to  wait  till  the 
limited  term  of  the  conftitution  expired,  when  they 
might  have  appeared  with  confiftency  and  credit. 
But  now  they  have  got  into  power  by  the  moft  un 
worthy  means,  they  loudly  exclaim  againft  the 
licentioufnefs  of  the  prefs,  though  it  has  been  their 
moft  ufeful,  and  in  fome  inftances  fuccefsful  engine. 
With  like  confiftency  they  cry  out  for  unanimity : 
But  is  unanimity  of  more  importance,  now  when 
the  independence  of  America  is  nearly  acknow 
ledged,  and  our  enemies  withdrawn,  than  when  they 
were  at  our  gates,  and  our  exiftence  as  a  nation 
doubtful  and  uncertain  ?  The  whole  is  an  infult 

on 


on  the  underftandings  and  feelings  of  an  honeft  and 
enlightened  people. 

To  raife  the  prejudices  of  any  particular  body  or 
profeffion,  is  extremely  favourable  to  party  purpofes. 
The  cry  of  the  craft  being  in  danger,  fet  all  the 
filver  fmiths  of  Ephefus  in  an  uproar,  and  they  had 
like  to  have  ftoned  an  apoftle.  Though  not  an 
apoftle  in  any  fenfe,  the  cry  was  raifed  that  I  was 
an  enemy  to  trade,  and  if  they  did  not  attempt  to 
ftone  my  perfon,  dirt  was  not  wanting  to  foil  my 
character. 

The  leaders  of  oppofition  in  the  city  being  chiefly 
in  the  mercantile  line,  this  calumny  rofe  in  that 
quarter.  To  me  were  afcribed  the  committees  for 
regulating  prices,  inquiring  into  the  fales  of  goods, 
&c.  They  were  the  effufions  of  honeft  but  intem 
perate  zeal,  to  preferve  the  credit  of  the  paper  mo 
ney:  Time  and  experience  have  {hewn  their  futility; 
but  every  perfon  concerned  in  them,  will  do  me 
the  juftice  to  fay,  I  neither  originated  nor  conducted 
them :  In  many  refpects  I  oppofed  them,  as  far  as 
decency  and  prudence  would  admit.  The  moft 
obnoxious  of  their  proceedings,  by  which  I  mean 
calling  upon  individuals  to  anfwer  publicly  for  their 
tranfactions  of  trade,  was  evidently  the  angry  relique 
of  that  unfortunate  quarrel  which  refpected  Mr. 
Deane.  It  was  in  a  great  degree  an  appeal  to  the 
public  by  an  individual,  from  the  partiality  and  in- 
juftice  of  Congrefs,  which  permitted  the  former  to 
leave  America  the  defaulter  of  unaccounted  mil 
lions,  and  flanderer  of  every  honeft  man  who  fought 
to  detect  his  villainy,  and  guard  the  public  from 

F  his 


(          42          ) 

his  robbery.  His  cataftrophe  alfo  reflects  much 
honour  on  thofe  who  fupported  him,  and  enabled 
him  to  famifh  our  armies,  defraud  our  public  cre 
ditors,  and  involve  our  beft  citizens,  the  widow,  the 
orphan,  and  feeble  old  age,  in  all  the  diftrefles  of 
want  and  woe.  I  cannot  but  believe  that  my 
opportunities  have  given  me  good  reafon  for  the 
opinion,  that  if  the  firft  fupplies  from  France  had 
been  managed,  not  merely  with  common  honefty, 
but  without  the  moft  attrocious  fraud,  we  mould 
never  have  been  that  object  of  political  horror,  "  a 
"  bankrupt  republic — a  proftitute  among  virtuous 
"  matrons — a  bye-word  and  reproach  among  the 
"  nations."  Posterity  will  hardly  believe,  that  the 
patrons  and  fupporters  of  this  man,  now  alfo  a  de 
tected  traitor,  are  bafking  in  the  funfhine  of  wealth 
and  power,  while  his  enemies,  and  the  friends  of 
their  defrauded  country,  have  not  influence  enough 
to  make  a  door  keeper.  But  to  return. 

If  it  was  enmity  to  trade,  to  exercife  our  power 
and  judgment  in  the  appointment  of  office,  confti- 
tutionally  vefted  in  us,  or  on  other  meafures  of  gov 
ernment,  uncontrouled  by  a  junto  at  a  Coffee  Houfe, 
I  will  admit  the  charge ;  but  where  is  the  applica 
tion  ever  made  in  matters  of  commercial  concern 
that  was  not  received  with  refpect  and  attention,  or 
what  merchant  can  complain  that  he  was  treated 
with  pride  or  neglect  ?  To  mention  no  more,  was 
the  procuring  and  fitting  out  the  fhip  General 
Greene,  for  the  protection  of  their  trade,  from  the 
public  treafury,  without  import  or  duty,  a  proof  of 
enmity  to  their  interefts  ?  and  what  veffel  ever  gave 

more 


(       43       ) 

more  effectual  relief?  But  to  fix  prejudices  in 
honeft  minds,  who  attentive  to  their  own  concerns, 
received  them  without  examination  or  proof,  Jerved 
the  purpofes  of  party.  They  were  alfo  by  thefe 
means  fuccefsfully  conveyed  into  every  other  ftate 
in  the  union.  Before  ftrangers  could  call  our  ftreets 
by  their  names,  they  were  taught  to  confider  us  not 
only  as  unworthy  of  public  truft,  but  deftitute  of 
all  knowledge  and  even  the  principles  of  common 
honefty  and  morality.  To  revile  the  government 
and  its  meafures,  became  fo  fafhionable,  that  they 
did  not  feem  to  confider  it  as  improper,  much  lefs 
highly  indecent. 

It  fuited  the  fame  purpofes  to  afcribe  the  embar 
goes,  which  were  fo  long  continued,  to  the  council 
of  Pennfylvania,  and  in  a  particular  manner  to  my 
influence.  Of  all  the  falfehoods  (and  they  have  not 
been  few)  none  was  ever  propagated  with  more 
eagernefs  or  more  univerfally  believed ;  and  that  for 
two  reafons,  firft,  becaufe  it  raifed  a  violent  and 
general  prejudice;  and,  fecondly,  becaufe  it  con 
cealed  a  real  and  moft  profitable  monopoly  carried 
on  by  a  few  individuals,  under  the  mafk  of  public 
character,  and  the  exceptions  in  favour  of  our  allies. 
I  challenge  any  man  to  fhew  a  proclamation,  during 
my  whole  adminiftration,  that  was  not  founded 
either  mediately  or  immediately  on  a  refolution  of 
Congrefs,  one  for  manning  the  ftate  fhip,  (which 
lafted  for  a  few  days)  only  excepted ;  but  the  files 
of  that  honourable  body  will  mow  many  letters  and 
reprefentations  againft  embargoes.  I  challenge  any 
man  to  point  out  a  fingle  veflel  that  was  ever  de 
tained 


(       44       ) 

tained  twelve  hours  by  any  order  or  direction  of  a 
more  private  nature.  Once  mifled  by  the  expedi 
tions  held  forth  from  the  city,  when,  for  its  par 
ticular  fafety  from  a  mutinous  and  enraged  foldiery, 
and  the  general  good,  I  promifed  them  gratuities 
and  relief  in  their  diftrefs,  and  when  difappointed, 
I  hinted  at  a  neceffity  of  calling  the  ferious  atten 
tion  of  the  mercantile  intereft  to  our  affiftance  and 
relief,  by  a  temporary  reftridtion,  the  clamour  was 
outrageous  and  violent,  though  no  man  received 
the  leaft  prejudice.  But  the  influence  which  pro 
cured  the  embargoes  in  Congrefs,  was  fufficient  to 
uphold  them,  efpecially  when  ftrengthened  by  the 
reprefentations  of  commiflaries  and  quarter  mailers, 
who  erroneoufly  fuppofed  that  exportation  would 
ftarve  the  army.  The  Delaware  ftate  at  length, 
wearied  with  thefe  weak  and  felfifh  reftraints,  per 
emptorily  refufed  to  comply  with  the  requifitions 
of  Congrefs,  diffolved  the  fetters  which  had  fo  long 
bound  us,  and  opened  the  treafures  of  Mexico  to 
our  view.  My  opportunities  of  information  enable 
me  to  fpeak  with  fome  degree  of  confidence  on  this 
fubjecl:,  that  had  it  not  been  for  this  influence  that 
beneficial  trade  would  have  been  enjoyed  at  a  much 
earlier  day,  and  its  falutary  effects  diffufed  to  a  far 
greater  extent :  But  it  was  too  profitable  to  a  few 
to  be  laid  open  to  all.  The  mift  of  prejudice  and 
deception  is  daily  clearing  away ;  and  the  world 
may,  at  a  future  period,  probably  fee  the  works  of 
that  day  in  their  true  and  genuine  colours. 

But  what  will  thefe  gentlemen  fay,  when  it  is 
proved  that  after  Congreffional  embargoes  ceafed, 

the 


(       45       ) 

the  very  men  who  they  have  been  taught  to  be 
lieve  the  friends  and  favourers  of  trade,  invented  a 
new  reftri&ion  (but  with  fimilar  exceptions)  and 
that  thofe  who  they  confidered  as  its  enemies  anx- 
ioufly  and  induftrioufly  fought  to  give  them  relief. 
If  there  are  any  unbelievers,  let  them  look  into  the 
ad:  pailed  by  the  prefent  power,  and  under  the  fame 
intereft,  which  obliged  them  to  give  up  one  third 
of  every  provilion  cargo,  for  public  ufe,  to  be  paid 
for  in  depreciated  paper ;  and  let  them  look  into 
the  printed  votes  of  the  houfe,  page  579,  where 
they  will  fee  a  cogent  but  unavailing  reprefentation 
to  the  aflembly,  by  the  council,  againft  this  reftric- 
tion,  as  oppreffive  to  the  merchants  and  ufelefs  in 
itfelf.  But  it  ftill  continued,  and  while  the  trade 
was  generally  bound  in  this  miferable  {hackle,  there 
were  veflels  conftantly  failing,  which  carried  their 
entire  cargoes  without  deduction  or  reftraint.  At 
length  this  was  alfo  given  up,  and  at  laft  we  faw 
and  felt  the  bleflings  of  a  fair,  equal  and  generous 
commerce.  Now  judge  ye  worthy  but  mifguided 
citizens,  who  were  the  enemies  of  your  trade,  or 
hoftile  to  your  interefts. 

Lefs  induftry  has  not  been  ufed  to  prejudice  the 
military  of  the  ftate  againft  me,  of  which  my  pre- 
deceflbrs  and  late  fucceflbr  feem  to  have  fome  {hare. 
The  mutiny  of  the  line,  obliterated  all  my  former 
fervices  and  favours,  though  often  acknowledged. 
In  that  tranfaclion,  I  preferred  what  appeared  to 
me  to  be  the  intereft  of  the  public,  to  all  other 
confiderations.  If  after  the  report  of  the  aflembly, 
made  by  gentlemen  chiefly  in  an  oppofite  intereft, 

in 


(       46       ) 

in  the  prefence  of  thofe  of  the  army  who  had  coun 
tenanced  thefe  unfavourable  opinions,  any  thing 
was  wanting  to  my  vindication,  the  common  enemy 
have  fupplied  it.  Subfequent  advices  from  Europe 
mew  that  our  enemies  had  formed  great  and  ex- 
tenfive  hopes  on  that  event,  all  which  by  their  own 
confeffion  were  fruftrated  and  difappointed. 

Under  a  load  of  obloquy  and  flander,  the  prefles 
and  the  Coffee  Houfe  (a  place  never  before  ufed 
for  fuch  purpofes)  teeming  with  fcandalous  libels, 
it  was  ftill  my  fortune,  while  eligible  to  be  unani- 
moufly  re-chofen  to  the  Prefidency  of  the  ftate. 
When  this  had  ceafed,  and  I  returned  to  the  ftation 
of  a  private  citizen,  I  flattered  myfelf  that  envy  and 
malice  would  now  ceafe  alfo,  or  find  fome  other 
object ;  but  it  feems  I  was  too  dangerous  to  be 
permitted  to  enjoy  any  character  either  public  or 
private,  and  the  zeal  of  my  enemies  has  betrayed 
them  into  a  thoufand  inconiiftencies  :  I  have  been 
at  the  fame  time  defcribed  as  friendly  and  favoura 
ble  to  the  enemy,  oppreffive  and  perfecuting  of  their 
friends ;  fo  rich  as  to  be  dangerous,  fo  poor  as  to  be 
defpifed ;  fo  powerful  as  to  be  an  object  of  terror, 
fo  contemptible  as  to  be  flighted  by  every  one ;  a 
wretched  coward,  and  poflefling  a  fearlefs  intrepid 
fpirit,  which  no  danger  could  deter  from  its  pur 
pofes;  and  when  modern  villainy  failed  to  furnim  a 
comparifon,  recourfe  was  had  to  that  of  antiquity ; 
the  Catalines  and  Cleons,  the  parricides  of  their 
country,  men  covered  with  crimes  and  infamy  have 
been  brought  forth  from  the  darknefs  of  2000  years 
to  illuftrate  my  character — this  alfo  ferved  the  pur 
pofes 


(       47       ) 

pofes  of  party,  and  fhews  that  even  fome  men  of 
education  do  not  difdain  this  vile  proftitution  of 
their  talents.  When  this  did  not  produce  its  full 
effect,  though  encouraged  by  fome,  and  not  difcou- 
raged  by  others,  who  themfelves  have  fome  char 
acter  to  lofe,  men  of  low  and  defpicable  condition 
were  in  fome  inftances  excited  to  challenge  me, 
that  at  any  rate  they  might  be  rid  of  a  dangerous 
man,  whofe  innocence  might  one  day  appear  and 
cover  them  with  confufion  and  difgrace.  It  is 
fomewhat  fingular,  but  not  lefs  true,  that  for  a  long 
time  I  was  a  diftinguifhed  object  of  equal  abufe  in 
the  publications  of  the  enemy — it  was  natural  for 
them  to  wifh  to  deftroy  the  public  confidence  in  a 
man  whom  they  had  met  in  every  ftage  of  the  con- 
troverfy,  and  to  whom  they  thought  proper  to 
afcribe  fome  portion  of  their  difappointment :  But 
as  foon  as  the  work  was  taken  out  of  their  hands, 
they  intirely  left  it  to  their  lefs  able  but  more  zeal 
ous  friends,  who  have  gone  far  beyond  them  in  the 
difgraceful  bufinefs. 

I  have  been  called  a  tyrant  and  an  oppreffor. 
Let  us  fee  wherein  this  tyranny  and  oppreffion  con- 
fifted.  The  fad  neceffities  of  our  army,  and  various 
public  exigencies,  required  a  relief  which  a  depre 
ciating  paper  could  not  give.  There  was  no  alter 
native,  but  deftruction  or  coercion ;  the  whigs  had 
given  and  contributed  till  they  had  little  left ;  the 
difaffected  and  neutral  part  of  the  community,  had 
borne  no  proportion  of  the  public  burthen.  The 
powers  legally  vefted  in  us  were  exerted  to  draw 
forth  the  refources  of  the  ftate,  and  I  fought  to  make 

that 


(       48       ) 

that  equal  which  had  been  before  unequal — for 
after  all  that  can  be  extorted  from  avarice  and  dif- 
affeftion,  I  fear  the  generous  whig  and  friend  to  his 
country  with  his  fervices  in  the  militia,  his  volun 
tary  contribution,  his  property  taken  by  the  enemy, 
or  given  to  the  public  without  account,  or  in  loan 
office,  quarter  mafter,  and  commiflaries  certificates, 
will  find  his  felfim,  tory  trimming  neighbour  may 
truly  infult  him  by  his  comparative  lofTes.  Thefe 
were  alfo  thrown  into  the  fcale  of  party ;  many 
who  are  intitled  to  the  appellation  of  whigs,  were 
as  clamorous  as  any.  Let  me  call  on  fuch  to  pe- 
rufe  gen.  Washington's  letters  of  the  28th  May  and 
4th  July,  1780,  No.  10,  n,  and  then  blum  that 
from  little  local  views,  they  were  thwarting  and 
cenfuring  the  meafures  fo  warmly  urged  by  him 
for  the  deliverance  and  falvation  of  their  country. 

To  touch  every  firing  of  popular  complaint,  it 
has  been  fuppofed,  (for  they  do  not  believe  it)  that 
during  my  prefidency  I  acquired  a  fortune.  To 
acquire  a  fortune  on  a  falary  given  in  continental 
money,  and  ek'd  out  with  fome  occafional  allow 
ances,  is  an  idea  that  would  have  been  laughed  at  in 
any  other  ftate,  but  it  found  its  patrons  in  Pennfyl- 
vania.  For  this  alfo  fuited  the  purpofes  of  party. 
No,  my  countrymen  and  fellow  citizens,  if  you  can 
confide  in  my  affurances,  you  have  not  only  had  a 
very  valuable  portion  of  my  time,  but  fortune  alfo. 
I  would  not  difgrace  your  appointment,  by  a  mean 
and  unworthy  ftyle  of  public  life,  however  incon 
venient  to  myfelf  and  prejudicial  to  my  family. 
When  I  left  the  chair  I  fought  neither  gratuity, 

penfion, 


(       49       ) 

penfion,  or  office.  I  fondly  flattered  myfelf  that 
my  faithful  fervices  would  have  intitled  me  to  your 
future  favour  and  good  will,  and  that  at  leaft  I  mould 
have  found  the  fame  juftice  and  attention  in  Penn- 
fylvania,  as  a  ftranger,  or  I  myfelf  mould  have  had 
in  any  other  ftate ;  but  in  this  I  was  difappointed. 

Having  been  connected  before  the  prefent  war, 
with  fundry  gentlemen  in  England,  in  a  confidera- 
ble  landed  intereft  in  this  ftate,  and  New  Jerfey, 
which  fuffered  greatly  for  want  of  care,  in  confe- 
quence  of  the  war,  and  the  agent's  death  in  1778, 
and  to  prevent  any  cavil  with  refpedt  to  legal  pow 
ers,  I  refpectfully  applied  to  the  houfe  of  aflembly, 
praying  a  fhort  act  for  this  purpofe,  during  the  war, 
and  to  enable  me  to  complete  fundry  contracts, 
made  by  the  agent  in  his  life  time,  under  fuch  re- 
ftrictions  and  circumftances  as  they  would  think 
proper.  After  much  trifling,  and  that  fort  of  delay 
which  is  affected  when  perfons  do  not  chufe  to 
grant  what  they  know  not  how  with  decency  to 
deny,  Mr.  Speaker  nominated  Meffrs.  George 
Gray,  George  Campbell,  and  Robert  M'Pheribn,  a 
committee  to  hear  and  report  upon  my  petition. 
After  more  difficulty  to  obtain  an  interview,  than 
the  meaneft  perfon  in  the  ftate  ever  had  with 
me  while  I  was  prefident,  they  wifely  and  decently 
reported  that  an  agent  was  neceflary,  but  that  the 
whole  profits  without  even  the  exception  of  my 
own  intereft,  mould  be  fequftered  into  the  public 
treafury.  If  there  had  been  laws  for  the  purpofes 
of  fequeftering  Britifh  property,  or  any  other  in- 
ftance  of  fuch  a  procedure,  even  in  the  cafe  of  thofe 

G  perions 


(       50       ) 

perfons  who  have  retired  to  Great  Britain  during 
the  controverfy,  I  might  have  more  readily  acqui- 
efced :  but  to  fee  eftates  held  in  every  part  of  the 
ftate  by  fuch  perfons,  under  agents  receiving  the 
rents,  to  fee  them  making  fales  and  tranfmitting  the 
proceeds  to  England,  without  notice  or  inquiry,  to 
fee  difaffected  convicts  favoured  with  every  fpecies 
of  indulgence  to  their  property,  while  mine  and 
that  of  perfons  connected  with  me,  was  thus 
fingled  out  for  confiscation,  is  fuch  a  mark  of  glaring 
partiality  and  grofs  injuftice,  as  I  hope  has  not  its 
parallel  in  the  legiilative  annals  of  America. 

Permit  me  now  to  tell  you  how  differently  the 
ftate  of  New  Jerfey  acted  on  the  like  occafion. 
Tho'  I  had  rendered  them  no  fervices,  or  had  any 
other  intereft  than  what  arofe  from  the  propriety 
of  my  requeft  and  their  juftice,  both  houfes  unani- 
moufly  pafTed  the  act,  as  it  refpected  the  lands  in 
New  Jerfey,  in  as  little  time  as  the  neceffary  forms 
would  admit.  I  afterwards  reprefented  to  the  af- 
fembly  of  this  ftate,  that  as  there  was  no  law  to 
confifcate  or  fequefter  Britifh  property,  that  I  had 
never  been  attainted  by  proclamation,  or  convicted 
of  any  offence  againft  the  ftate,  which  drew  a  for 
feiture  of  property,  I  apprehended  there  was  a 
peculiar  hardfhip  in  the  report,  and  prayed  it 
might  be  recommitted;  this  was  granted,  and  an 
addition  made  to  the  committee,  in  which  a  hoftile 
majority  was  carefully  preferved,  and  the  bufinefs 
has  now  far  entered  into  its  fecond  year,  and  in  the 
hands  of  the  third  affembly,  fince  my  firft  applica 
tion.  It  is  not  in  my  nature  to  pay  perfonal  and  lervile 

court 


court  to  individual  members,  to  do  what  common 
juftice  and  gratitude  demand.  So  that  it  will  pro 
bably  be  handed  over  from  affembly  to  aflembly  till 
the  neceffity  ceafes,  or  it  mall  fall  into  more  honour 
able  hands.  Now  I  appeal  to  you,  my  fellow  citi 
zens  and  countrymen,  whether  I  have  deferved  fuch 
treatment  from  your  reprefentatives,  whether  this 
and  all  the  calumny  and  reproach  which  has  been 
heaped  on  me  is  a  juft  or  generous  return  for  the 
fervices  I  have  rendered  you,  and  the  facrifices  I 
have  made,  and  whether  it  does  not  bear  all  the 
marks  of  decided  and  perfonal  party.  But  if  I  had 
finned,  what  has  an  unoffending  family  done,  that 
they  mould  be  impoverished  and  degraded  from 
their  proper  rank  in  life  and  education,  when  that 
time  and  thofe  talents  have  been  devoted  to  you 
which  would  otherwife  have  been  profitably  em 
ployed  for  them  ?  Do  you  believe  I  had  no  oppor 
tunities  arifing  from  the  rank  and  influence  I  have 
had  to  better  my  fortune  either  in  land  or  other 
fpeculations,  or  fimilar  means  ?  Be  affured  fuch 
temptations  are  always  at  hand  to  men  in  high 
office  :  I  have  had  feveral.  My  uniform  and  con- 
ftant  anfwer  was,  while  prefident  of  the  ftate,  I  can 
enter  into  no  fuch  meafure ;  my  rank  and  influence 
were  not  given  me  for  the  purpofe  of  private  emolu 
ment,  nor  fhall  they  ever  be  ib  applied.  There  are 
more  than  one  who  have  received  this  anfwer  from 
me  while  in  the  chair  of  government.  But  I  did 
not  expect  to  be  deprived  or  unjuftly  precluded  from 
the  enjoyment  of  private  rights  acquired  many 

years 


(          52          } 

years  fince,  and  which  but  for  the  war  would  have 
been  long  fince  favourably  fettled. 

Setting  all  private  confiderations  afide,  permit  me 
to  add  that  if  you  can  encourage  fuch  conduct,  you 
neither  underftand  nor  are  fit  for  the  government 
you  have  eflablimed.  In  a  commonwealth,  under 
a  republican  conftitution,  with  conftant  rotation  of 
officers,  it  is  your  wifdom  and  only  true  policy  to 
make  the  return  to  private  life  and  former  purfuits 
as  eafy  and  honourable  as  pofiible,  when  men  have 
ferved  you  with  fidelity,  they  have  a  right  to  ex 
pect  you  fhould  preferve  their  characters  from  flan- 
der,  and  their  property  from  depredation  ;  if  you 
do  not,  you  will  foon  convert  ufeful  citizens  into 
dangerous  and  turbulent  fubjects.  Look  round,  and 
fee  the  numerous  candidates  for  every  vacant  office, 
and  the  ftill  more  numerous  idlers  in  every  part  of 
the  ftate  :  do  you  wifh  to  increafe  their  number? 
If  you  do,  hedge  up  their  return  to  their  former 
occupations  and  honeft  induftry,  by  ill  treatment 
and  reproach,  they  will  foon  become  the  venal 
inftruments  of  any  tyrant  or  ariftocratic  junto,  to 
deftroy  thofe  very  liberties  you  fo  much  abufe. 
Of  the  number  whom  the  war  hath  drawn  forth 
from  their  former  ftations  in  life,  how  few  have  re 
turned  to  them.  The  fubject  will  foon  force  your 
confideration  ;  you  have  only  to  chufe  whether  you 
will  by  your  own  conduct  make  them  ufeful  citizens 
or  burthenfome  penfioners. 

In  enumerating  the  various  reproaches  which 
have  been  call  upon  me,  I  cannot  omit  thofe  of  be 
ing 


(       53       ) 

ing  born  out  of  the  ftate,  and  being  of  a  particular 
religious  profeffion.  The  crime  of  being  born  in 
New  Jerfey,  I  (hall  neither  palliate  nor  deny;  fo  far 
from  it  that  I  am  proud  to  boaft  this  accidental  con 
nection  with  a  ftate,  which  for  its  heroic  exertions 
in  the  common  caufe,  and  patriotic  gratitude,  may 
be  ranked  with  any  ftate  either  ancient  or  modern  : 
If  they  are  not  amamed  of  me,  I  certainly  (hall 
never  be  amamed  of  them.  It  ill  becomes  any  party 
in  Pennfylvania  to  raife  fuch  diftinctions,  as  fhe 
owes  her  profperity,  in  no  fmall  degree,  to  thofe 
ftrangers  who  have  preferred  her  climate,  laws  and 
government  to  all  others. 

The  other  objection  of  religious  profeffion  is  lefs 
fpoke,  but  more  thought  of:  When  I  am  con 
vinced  of  its  errors,  or  amamed  of  its  characters,  I 
may  perhaps  change  it :  Till  then,  I  (hall  not  blufh 
at  a  connection  with  a  people  who  in  this  great 
controverfy  are  not  fecond  to  any  in  vigorous  ex 
ertions  and  generous  contributions,  and  to  whom 
we  are  fo  eminently  indebted  for  our  deliverance 
from  the  thraldom  of  Great  Britain  :  Their  great 
misfortune  is,  that  artful  men  of  other  parties  and 
perfuaiions  have  always  found  means  to  dupe  them 
into  divifions,  difcord,  and  weakneis.  But  it  is 
quite  time  to  drop  religious  diftinctions  in  Pennfyl 
vania,  and  meet  on  the  equal  floor  of  generous 
catholicifm  ;  he  who  attempts  to  revive  them,  will 
roufe  a  fleeping  lion,  and  he  will  do  well  to  re 
member  that  there  is  no  hierarchy,  nor  Great  Bri 
tain  now  to  fly  to,  for  countenance  or  affiftance. 

I  think  it  may  be  truly  faid,  that  fince  the  revo 
lution, 


(       54       ) 

lution,  religious  diftincftions  have  occafioned  no  pre 
ferences  in  the  offices  or  honours  of  government. 
Men  of  abilities  and  integrity  have  been  fought  for 
and  found :  It  was  our  pride  as  well  as  duty;  and 
I  am  content  even  at  this  day  they  fhould  be  ftrictly 
reviewed.  Many  whofe  advancement  was  ground 
of  difcontent  for  a  time,  have  filenced  the  clamours 
by  their  integrity  and  ability  in  office.  Thofe  ap 
pointments  which  are  afcribed  to  my  particular  in 
fluence,  might  gratify  a  man  of  much  lefs  vanity 
than  I  poflefs.  Let  thofe  who  are  difcontented  go 
into  our  courts  of  juftice,  obferve  the  judges, 
or  hear  the  pleadings  in  behalf  of  the  ftate ;  let 
them  tranfaft  bufinefs  with  our  auclioniers  or  mar- 
fhal ;  to  conduct  it  without  reproach,  in  fuch  a 
difcontented  felfifh  age,  is  proof  fufficient  both  of 
integrity  and  ability.  The  Univeriity  prefents  an 
inftance  of  moderation  in  the  ufe  of  power,  feldom 
found  :  All  denominations  of  Chriftians  are  upon 
an  equal  foot  of  enjoyment  of  its  rights  and  ad 
vantages  ;  inftead  of  the  narrow  and  partial  fcale 
of  particular  domination  :  Upon  this,  upon  the 
gradual  abolition  of  flavery,  and  demolition  of  pro 
prietary  power  and  influence,  I  am  content  to  rifque 
the  merits  of  my  adminiftration,  and  truft  they  will 
far  outbalance  our  involuntary  errors.  The  firft 
muft  be  acknowledged ;  and  had  the  fecond  been 
the  work  of  any  other  hands,  it  would  have  been 
more  meritorious ;  I  confider  the  laft  not  lefs  im 
portant  than  either,  but  its  principal  benefits  are  yet 
to  be  felt ;  I  look  forward  with  confidence  to  the 
day  when  they  will  be  feen  and  acknowledged  by 

all. 


(       55       ) 

all.  But  it  would  ill  become  me  to  arrogate  more 
in  thefe  great  concerns  than  a  concurrence  :  I  ever 
found  a  difpofition  in  all  thofe  who  acted  with  me, 
to  conduct  the  government  on  the  moft  free  and 
liberal  principles,  difcouraging  every  enquiry  which 
led  farther  than  to  afcertain  the  propriety  of  men 
and  meafures,  unconnected  with  any  confideration 
of  religious  profeffion,  and  local  domeftic  policy. 
We  could  not  fofler  difaffection,  nor  reward  timidity 
or  avarice. 

A  number  of  the  charges  brought  forward  againft 
me  in  news  papers  and  other  publications,  are  pro 
per  fubjects  of  legal  examination.  Many  of  thofe 
whom  I  am  fo  unfortunate  as  to  count  in  the 
number  of  my  political  enemies,  have  been  long  in 
power ;  and  is  there  not  a  man  to  be  found  amidft 
all  this  clamour,  to  inftitute  a  fingle  regular  com 
plaint.  I  will  meet  the  greateft  or  the  meaneft,  or 
from  any  of  the  intermediate  ranks  of  Pennfylvania, 
on  this  ground  :  But  they  well  know,  that  all  their 
imputations  would  then  vanim  like  the  bafelefs  fabric 
of  a  vifion,  leaving  not  a  wreck  of  truth  or  juftice 
behind.  I  afk  no  favour.  I  defy  them  all — them- 
felves  being  judges,  fo  the  examination  being  open 
to  the  world. 

And  after  this  will  you,  my  friends  and  fellow- 
countrymen,  confirm  the  reproach  on  republican 
governments,  that  neither  life,  character,  or  fortune, 
are  fafe  from  the  machinations  of  envious  and  fac 
tious  men  ?  Will  you  deprive  yourfelves  of  the 
fervices  of  your  beft  citizens,  who,  by  declining 
your  offices,  will  mew  that  they  dare  not  truft  you 

with 


(       56       ) 

with  thefe  precious  depofits  ?  Avarice,  ambition, 
and  vanity,  will  always  provide  you  with  candidates  ; 
but  will  you  live  as  free,  fafe,  or  happy  under  them, 
as  under  men,  who  can,  for  your  fakes,  conquer  the 
natural  feelings  of  the  human  heart,  and  return  to 
an  equality  with  you,  to  former  purfuits  and  occu 
pations,  without  murmuring  or  complaint:  whofe 
knowledge  of  government,  when  out  of  office,  will 
make  them  watchful  over  thofe  who  are  in  ;  fo  that 
your  liberties  and  interefts  may  reft  in  fafety,  and 
none  mail  dare  to  opprefs  you  ?  You  have  gone 
great  lengths  to  cure  me  of  all  ambition  for  public 
office;  I  have  found  fo  much  more  eafe,  folid  fatif- 
faction,  and  real  profit  in  private  life,  that  it  muft 
be  fomething  extraordinary  to  draw  me  from  it 
again  :  I  therefore  hope  you  will  excufe  the  free 
dom  I  take  of  offering  you  fome  fentiments,  the 
refult  of  a  little  civil  and  military  experience. 

We  may  truly  fay  in  Pennfylvania,  it  is  not  to  the 
rich  or  the  mighty,  we  owe  any  obligations  in  this 
great  conteft :  With  a  few  exceptions,  they  left  us, 
as  they  fuppofed,  to  our  own  deftruction  ;  they  are 
now  impatient  under  the  difappointment,  and  can 
not  brook  that  the  honours  of  government,  which 
they  confider  as  the  appendage  of  wealth,  but 
which  they  cautioufly  avoided  in  time  of  danger, 
mould  now  reft  in  the  hands  of  men  whom  their 
pride  and  ambition  have  taught  to  confider  as  their 
inferiors.  And  even  thefe  exceptions  fuppoie  them- 
felves  fo  unequally  yoked  with  their  whig  brethren, 
that  when  power  or  profit  are  in  view,  they  do  not 
difdain  the  alliance  and  fupport  of  thofe,  whom  but 

lately 


(       57       ) 

lately  they  detefted  and  deipifed.  Their  motto  is, 
<SV  dii  nequent  acheronta  movebo.  Hence  every  means 
has  been  ufed  to  leffen  us  in  your  good  opinion,  and 
exclude  us  from  marks  of  your  favour.  But  their 
moft  effectual  engine  has  been,  and  yet  is,  to  ftarve 
the  officers  of  government.  They  know  that  many 
valuable  and  ufeful  fervants  of  the  public  do  not 
poffefs  independent  fortunes  ;  they  therefore  apply 
to  your  frugality,  or  rather  your  parfimony,  and 
affect  a  concern  for  the  public  revenue ;  but  the 
real  object  is  the  gratification  of  their  own  Snifter 
ambition.  What  is  the  difference  between  an  ho 
nourable  fupport  of  government,  and  one  that  will 
difgrace  you  with  its  ignorance  and  meannefs,  or 
injure  you  with  its  pride,  infolence,  and  tyranny? 
It  is  not  the  fourth  part  of  a  farthing  on  the  pound 
rate  of  Pennfylvania.  And  does  this  afford  a 
temptation  to  commit  ingratitude  and  injuftice  to 
the  public  as  well  as  individuals  ?  There  are  but 
three  claffes  of  men  in  Pennfylvania  from  which 
you  can  draw  the  officers  of  government :  men  of 
overgrown  wealth  who  will  ferve  you  for  the  ho 
nour  of  the  fervice,  or  the  confumption  of  their 
heavy  time,  and  who  pay  no  regard  to  the  com- 
penfation  :  The  number  of  thefe  is  very  fmall ;  for 
it  has  been  obferved,  that  the  rich  are  as  fond  of 
falaries  as  the  poor.  The  fecond  are  thofe  who 
porTefs  fome  certain  eftate,  but  unequal  to  their 
expence;  not  having  talents  or  inclination  for  pri 
vate  bufinefs,  they  feek  to  increale  their  income  and 
confequence  by  an  office,  which  of  itfelf  is  not  an 
adequate  fupport:  The  number  of  thefe  is  greater; 

H  but 


but  they  may  be  truly  be  ftyled  the  foundlings,  not 
the  legitimate  candidates  for  office ;  they  are  gene 
rally  either  indolent  characters,  or  of  defective  abili 
ties.  The  laft  clafs  confifts  of  men  who  by  their 
abilities  and  integrity  have  raifed  themfelves  into 
notice  and  confequence ;  but  cannot  in  juftice  to 
their  private  interefts  and  families,  give  you  their 
fervices  at  fo  great  a  lofs ;  while  they  are  taking 
care  of  you,  you  muft  take  care  of  them. 

Now  judge  ye  from  which  of  thefe  claffes  you 
are  moft  likely  to  draw  good  magistrates  and  faith 
ful  executive  officers.  No  honeft  man  in  fettled 
times  will  ferve  you  to  the  certain  ruin  of  himfelf 
and  family;  but  many  an  honeft  and  able  man  will 
ferve  you  for  a  moderate  income,  which  depends  on 
the  rate  and  expences  of  the  place  where  his  fer 
vices  are  required,  and  the  rank  of  the  office  which 
he  fills.  Befides,  mean  inadequate  falaries  beget 
low  dependence  and  lervility ;  the  man  is  not  feek- 
ing  how  he  fliall  difcharge  his  duty,  but  maintain 
his  family.  In  the  adminiftration  of  juftice  it  is  of 
the  laft  importance.  The  purity  and  independence 
of  the  courts  of  juftice  in  England,  have  alone  pre- 
ferved  the  remains  of  their  constitution  to  this  day, 
amidft  the  corruption  and  venality,  which  in  all 
other  cafes  fo  much  abounds.  To  leffen  the  fala 
ries  and  appointments  of  government,  fo  as  not  to 
afford  a  fubfiftence  to  the  officers,  abridges  your 
choice,  and  confines  it  to  men  of  riches  and  leifure, 
and  whatever  may  be  faid,  there  is  little  cordial 
fympathy  between  the  rich  and  the  poor.  Men  do 
not  really  feel  for  the  hardfhips  and  inconveniencies 

of 


(       59       ) 

of  a  iituation  which  they  never  have,  and  moft  pro 
bably  never  will  experience. 

This  leads  me  to  what  I  have  ever  efteemed  one 
general  fource  of  the  enmity  and  flander  which  we 
have  met  with  in  administering  the  government  of 
Pennfylvania.     I  am  a  friend  to  fair  and  equal  go 
vernment,  an  enemy  to  all  cabals  and  Machivalian 
politics,   and  a  deadly  foe  to  enormous   influence, 
whether   derived   from  wealth  or  power,  or  both 
united.     I  confider   it   (becaufe  the  hiftory  of  the 
world  demonftrates  it)  to  have  been  ever  the  fource 
of  corruption,  productive  of  tyrannical  monarchies, 
or  ariftocratical  juntos,   and  fubverfive  of  all  true 
political  happinefs  and  private  fafety.      My  voice, 
my  pen,  and,  in  cafe  of  extremity,   my  fword,  will 
not  be  wanting  to  oppofe  them — and  my  enemies 
have  fomehow  or  other  an  idea,  that  I  poffefs  the 
fingular  quality  of  defpifing  riches  when  neceiTarily 
connected  with  dependance.     Such  a  character  may 
indeed  be  troublefome,  mould  the  eftablifhments  of 
this  country  imprefs  fuch  ideas,  and  I  confefs  I  do  not 
think  we  are  without  caufe  of  alarm.     Almoft  every 
new  eftablifhment  feems  to  have  the  principles  of 
undue  influence,  interwoven  in  it,  from  which  cor 
ruption  muft  unavoidably  flow.     Even  that  ufeful 
and  convenient  eftablimment   the  bank,   is  formed 
on  a  plan   more  unfavourable    to  civil  liberty  than 
the  like   inftitution  in  England,   where  and  in  the 
India   companies,  a  regular   rotation  is  eftablifhed, 
by  the  excluiion  of  part  of  the  directors  annually. 
That  bank  was  eftablifhed  as  ours,  at  the  clofe  of  a 
revolution,  but  the  patriots  of  that  day  well  knew 

that 


(       60       ) 

that  the  command  of  the  national  wealth,  continued 
in  the  fame  hands,  was  dangerous  to  their  liberties 
and  prefented  too  great  a  temptation  to  interefted 
individuals  to  apply  it  to  their  own  purpofes.  Un 
happily  for  us  the  public  neceffities  have  laid  us  at 
mercy,  our  imbecility  has  in  a  great  degree  abforbed 
the  rights  and  powers  of  public  and  private  judg 
ment,  and  the  language  of  too  many  feems  to  be, 
Spare  our  money  and  take  all  belides.  A  chearful 
and  punctual  payment  of  neceffary  but  not  oppref- 
five  taxes,  would  foon  reftore  us  to  our  firft  and 
natural  independency  of  judgment  and  action. 

My  dear  countrymen  and  fellow  citizens,  I  hope 
you  will  do  me  the  juftice  to  believe  that  thefe  fen- 
timents  are  not  thrown  out  to  embarrafs  thofe  who 
manage  our  public  affairs.  They  have  many  natu 
ral  and  unavoidable  difficulties,  it  is  not  fair  nor  juft 
to  add  thefe  that  are  merely  artificial.  However  I 
have  been  treated  in  this  refpect,  I  never  did  nor 
ever  will  retaliate.  My  opportunities  alone  have 
given  me  more  knowledge  of  our  public  affairs 
than  moft  of  you  who  are  in  private  life  :  and  when 
I  fee  your  interefts,  liberties,  or  political  morals  in 
vaded  or  endangered,  I  will  write,  and  I  will  fpeak, 
unawed  and  uninfluenced,  by  any  other  motives 
than  thofe  which  ought  to  govern  a  good  citizen ; 
for  that  I  have  been  ever  fo  in  intention,  whatever 
have  been  my  errors,  I  dare  boldly  aver  to  you  and 
all  the  world.  My  enemies  freely  give  out,  becaufe 
they  hope  it  will  leffen  your  confidence,  and  injure 
me  in  my  private  purfuits,  that  I  am  about  to  leave 
the  flate.  I  have  no  fuch  intention,  I  have  too 

many 


(       61        ) 

many  friends  in  Pennfylvania  to  leave  them — and 
they  know  little  of  me,  who  can  believe  that  I  will 
not  even  eat  the  bread  and  water  alone  of  Penniyl- 
vania,  rather  than  gratify  my  enemies,  and  thus 
admit  an  idea  dishonourable  to  my  paft  life,  and 
public  conduct.  I  mean  to  continue  in  a  private 
ftation  becaufe  it  is  not  only  the  moft  eafy  and  pro 
fitable,  but  there  are  circumftances  in  which  it  is 
the  poft  of  honour. 

My  fellow  citizens  and  countrymen,  I  now  moft 
refpedfully  take  my  leave  of  you,  earneftly  wiming, 
that  order  may  arife  out  of  all  this  confufion ;  that 
you  may  find  foldiers  more  brave  and  fkilful ;  ftatef- 
men  more  able  and  ufeful  (for  in  fidelity  and  dif- 
interefted  fervices,  I  can  yield  to  none)  and  that 
whoever  may  be  your  governors  and  rulers,  you 
may  be  a  free  and  happy  people. 


THE    AUTHOR. 


APPENDIX. 


The  ORIGINALS  of  the  following  LETTERS  and 
CERTIFICATES  are  left  in  the  Hands  of  Mr.  BAILEY, 
for  the  Infpection  of  those  who  may  defire  to  be 
farther  aflured  of  their  Authenticity. 

(No,  i.) 

Certificate  from  the  hon.  John  Cox,  Efq.  Vice-Prefident 
of  New  Jerfey. 

Hp  H  E  S  E  are  to  certify  that  in  the  month  of  December  1 776,  the  fub- 
•*•  fcnber  being  then  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  fecond  battalion  of  Phi 
ladelphia  militia  laying  at  Briftol,  Mr.  Jofeph  Reed,  the  then  adjutant 
general  of  the  continental  army,  came  down  to  the  militia  by  the  direc 
tion  of  the  commander  in  chief  (as  the  fubfcriber  underftood) ;  that  he 
quartered  in  the  fame  houfe  with  the  fubfcriber,  and  was  engaged  in  pro 
curing  intelligence  from  the  enemy,  and  in  the  moft  confidential  com 
munications  of  the  operations  of  the  army ;  that  the  fubfcriber  accom 
panied  him  in  one  to  Mount  Holly,  to  col.  Griffin,  and,  as  the  fubfcriber 
underftood,  was  treated  with  the  moft  unreferved  confidence  both  at 
Briftol  and  elfewhere,  with  refpedl  to  the  movements  and  defigns  of  the 
troops  that  his  advice  and  opinion  appeared  to  be  much  depended  on, 
particularly  with  refpedl  to  eroding  over  and  remaining  in  New  Jerfey, 
which  led  to  the  fucceiTes  at  Princeton,  and  the  favourable  iffue  of  the 
campaign ;  that  the  fubfcriber  verily  believes  thofe  communications  to 
have  been  made  at  fuch  times,  and  under  fuch  circumftances,  as  muft 
have  fubjecled  the  troops  to  certain  deftrudlion,  and  the  commanding  offi 
cer  to  the  higheft  cenfure,  if  on  the  one  hand  the  perfon  intrufted  had 
proved  unfaithful,  or  on  the  other  the  commanding  officer  had  reafon  to 
fufpeft  him.  The  fubfcriber  alfo  well  remembers,  that  when  the  troops 
had  paffed  over  into  Jerfey,  it  was  fuppofed  that  the  enemy  were  not  far 
diftant  from  where  we  landed ;  that  it  was  propofed  by  feveral  officers  to 
return  to  Penniylvania ;  that  Mr.  Reed  was  of  opinion  that  recroffing  the 
river  would  greatly  difpirit  the  troops,  and  therefore  was  againft  it,  and 
offered  to  explore  the  country  where  the  enemy  was  fuppofed  to  be; 
which  by  the  requeft  of  gen.  Cadwallader  he  accordingly  did,  without 
any  covering  party  or  company,  fave  col.  Cowperthwaite,  the  fubfcriber, 
and  a  guide ;  that  during  the  continuance  of  the  militia  at  Briftol,  the 
fubfcriber  was  on  terms  of  the  moft  unreferved  intimacy  with  Mr.  Reed, 
and  had  frequent  confidential  converfations  with  him  on  the  ftate  of 

affairs, 


(       64       ) 

affairs,  which  then  wore  the  darkeft  appearance,  in  all  which  the  faid 
Mr.  Reed  never  intimated,  nor  had  the  fubfcriber  the  leaft  reafon  to  fuf- 
ped  he  had,  any  intention  of  abandoning  the  caufe  or  arms  of  his  country, 
to  join  thofe  of  the  enemy  ;  that  it  appeared  to  the  fubfcriber,  that  general 
Cadwallader,  during  his  ftay  at  Briftol,  depended  in  a  great  meafure  for 
intelligence  on  the  faid  Mr.  Reed  and  the  fubfcriber,  which  their  know 
ledge  of  the  country  and  characters  about  Burlington  enabled  them  to  ob 
tain  for  him  daily  ;  that  the  fubfcriber  had  frequent  converfations  with  the 
faid  Mr.  Reed  during  the  time  of  our  greateft  difficulty  and  diftrefs,  in 
none  of  which  did  it  ever  appear  to  be  the  intention  of  faid  Mr.  Reed  to 
abandon  the  caufe  of  his  country  by  joining  the  enemy,  but  on  the  con 
trary  mewed  every  difpofition  to  oppofe  and  counteract  them,  and  the 
fubfcriber  verily  believes  that  had  any  fuch  intention  been  formed  by  the 
faid  Mr.  Reed,  he  would  have  communicated  it  to  the  fubfcriber ;  that 
he  never  heard  from  General  Cadwallader  of  his  entertaining  any  doubts 
of  Mr.  Reed's  attachment  to  or  perfeverance  in  the  caufe  of  America,  or 
any  opinion  exprefled  by  him  that  induced  a  belief  that  faid  Cadwallader 
entertained  other  than  a  favourable  one  touching  the  faid  Reed's  zeal  or 
activity  in  the  public  fervice. 

JOHN    COX. 
Trenton,  October  20,  1782. 

(No.  2.) 

Affidavit  by  Daniel  Ellis,  Efq.  formerly  High  Sheriff  and 
one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  for 
Burlington. 

State  of  New  Jerfey,  Burlington  County,  fl~. 

PERSONALLY  came  and  appeared  before  me,  the  fubfcriber, 
one  of  the  juftices  of  the  peace  in  the  faid  county,  afljgned  to  keep,  &c. 
Daniel  Ellis,  of  the  city  of  Burlington,  efq.  a  perfon  to  me  well  known  and 
worthy  of  good  credit,  who  being  duly  fworn  on  the  holy  evangelifts  of 
almighty  God,  depofeth  and  faith,  That  fometime  in  the  month  of  De 
cember  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thoufand  feven  hundred  and  feventy 
fix,  the  Philadelphia  militia  laying  at  Brillol,  the  gallies  in  the  river,  and 
the  Heffians  under  count  Donop  at  Bordentown  and  the  Black  Horfe,  the 
town  of  Burlington  was  much  diftreffed  by  fmall  parties  coming  in  and 
committing  excefles  on  the  inhabitants ;  that  Jofeph  Reed,  efq.  then  adju 
tant  general  of  the  continental  army,  being  occafionally  in  town  was  ap 
plied  to  by  fome  of  the  inhabitants,  as  this  deponent  undcrftood,  to  procure 
them  fome  relief,  and  particularly  to  reftrain  the  galley  men  and  militia 
from  coming  into  the  town  ;  that  in  order  to  cfFecl  this  it  was  neceflary 
that  the  enemy's  parties  mould  be  equally  reftrained,  and  the  faid  Mr. 
Reed  agreed  to  write  a  letter  to  count  Donop  to  that  effect ;  that  this  de 
ponent  went  to  the  office  of  James  Kinfey,  efq.  where  the  faid  gen.  Reed 

was 


(       65       ) 

was,  with  col.  Shec  of  Philadelphia  ;  that  feveral  of  the  inhabitants  were 
alfo  prefent ;  that  the  faid  Jofeph  Reed  afked  this  deponent  if  his  fon 
would  carry  a  letter  to  count  Donop  for  the  above  purpofe ;  to  which 
this  deponent  replied,  that  if  it  was  for  the  relief  of  the  town  he  would  go 
himfelf;  upon  which  a  letter  was  immediately  writ;  that  this  deponent 
went  the  next  morning  with  the  letter  (which  to  the  beft  of  this  deponent's 
remembrance  was  unfeakd)  and  delivered  the  fame  to  count  Donop,  who 
foon  after  returned  an  anfwer  in  writing,  which  this  deponent  underftood 
from  the  faid  count  Donop  was  to  appoint  a  place  for  a  conference  upon 
the  fubjecl:,  which  letter  this  deponent  delivered  to  the  faid  general  Reed 
(the  faid  Mr.  Reed  and  col.  Shee  waiting  for  his  return;)  that  fome  few 
days  after  an  officer  came  to  Burlington  with  a  flag,  with  a  letter  from 
count  Donop  to  the  faid  general  Reed ;  that  the  people  of  Burlington, 
being  anxious  to  effecl:  the  bufinefs,  exerted  themfelves  to  get  the  faid  letter 
over  the  river;  (the  river  being  then  full  of  ice)  that  upon  getting  over 
they  found  that  general  Reed  was  at  Philadelphia,  fo  that  the  faid  officer 
did  not  fee  him,  nor  did  any  intercourfe  pafs  between  them  to  this  depo 
nent's  knowledge  or  belief;  that  this  tranfa&ion  was  of  public  notoriety, 
and  as  this  deponent  verily  believes,  calculated  for  the  fole  relief  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  faid  town,  then  much  diftrefled  by  the  irregularity  of 
the  troops  and  galley  men,  who  came  into  the  town  under  various  pre 
tences,  and  plundered  and  ill  treated  the  inhabitants.  And  further  this 
deponent  faith  not. 

DANIEL  ELLIS. 
Sworn  before  me,  the  23d  daj 
ofOdober,  1783. 

SAM.  How. 

(No.  3.) 
Affidavit  by  Bowes  Reed,  Efq.  Secretary  of  New  Jerfey. 

New  Jerfey,  Burlington  County,  ff. 

BOWES  REED,  efquire,  fecretary  of  the  ftate  of  New  Jerfey,  and 
heretofore  a  lieutenant  colonel  in  the  new  levies  of  the  faid  (late,  being 
duly  fwora,  depofeth  and  faith,  That  in  the  month  of  December  annoque 
Domini,  .one  thoufand  feven  hundred  and  feventy  fix,  this  deponent's 
lime  being  expired  in  the  five  months  fervice,  he  returned  in  bad  health 
to  Burlington  in  New  Jerfey,  the  place  of  his  former  refidence,  which 
though  not  occupied  by  the  troops  of  either  party,  was  fubjecl  to  the  in?- 
curfions  of  both ;  that  during  that  time  this  deponent's  brother,  then  ad" 
jutant  general  of  the  continental  army,  frequently  came  over  from  Briftol, 
where  the  Pennfylvania  militia  then  lay,  in  order  to  procure  intelligence 
of  the  movements  and  defigns  of  the  enemy,  then  laying  at  Bordentown, 
the  Black  Horfe,  and  Mount  Holly  j  that  this  deponejif  aflilted  his  brother 
in  faid  fervice,  by  procuring  and  equipping  fpie?  to  go  within  the  enemy's 
I  lines, 


(       66       ) 

lines,  and  communicating  the  advice  occafionally  received ;  and  this  de 
ponent  farther  faith,  that  during  the  faid  time,  or  at  any  other,  his  brother 
never  intimated  to  this  deponent,  in  the  moll  diftant  manner,  any  advice 
or  encouragement  to  feck  protection  of  the  enemy,  but  on  the  other  hand, 
that  he  was  too  much  cxpofed  to  the  incurfions  of  the  enemy,  and  wifhed 
him  to  remove  to  a  place  of  greater  fafety ;  and  this  deponent  farther  faith, 
that  during  the  faid  time  his  faid  brother  never  exprefled  to  him  any 
apprehenlions  of  the  fuccefs  of  the  caufe,  but  feemed  wholly  engaged  in 
procuring  intelligence,  and  purfuing  other  methods  to  annoy  and  defeat 
the  defigns  of  the  enemy;  this  deponent  farther  fays,  that  his  faid  brother, 
to  his  knowledge  or  belief,  was  not  engaged  in  any  other  meafure,  than  as 
abovementioned,  except  that  at  the  requeft  of  a  number  of  the  people  of 
Burlington,  who  were  greatly  dillrefled  by  parties  from  each  army,  he 
publicly  fent  a  meflage  to  count  Donop,  who  then  commanded  the  troops 
on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  propofmg  mutually  to  keep  the  faid  parties  out 
of  the  town,  on  which  count  Donop  fent  a  meffenger  with  an  anfwer,  as 
this  deponent  was  then  informed,  who  returned  without  delivering  it,  as 
his  faid  brother  was  then  gone  into  Pennfylvania  ;  that  in  a  few  days  after 
wards  the  furprife  of  the  Heflians  at  Trenton  took  place,  and  the  war  was 
intirely  removed  from  this  part  of  the  country,  and  farther  the  deponent 
faith  not. 

BOWES  REED. 
Sworn  before  me,  the  23d  day 
of  Oftober,  1782. 

SAM.   How. 

(No.  4.) 
General  Wafhington'j  Letter,  dated  Dec.  23,  1776. 

Camp  above  Trenton  Falls,  23d  December,  1776. 
Dear  Sir, 

THE  bearer  is  fent  down  to  know  whether  your  plan  was  attempted 
laft  night,  and  if  not  to  inform  you  that  Chriftmafs  day  at  night,  one  hour 
before  day,  is  the  time  fixed  upon  for  our  attempt  on  Trenton.  For 
heaven's  fake  keep  this  to  yourfelf,  as  the  difcovery  of  it  may  prove  fatal  to 
us.  Our  numbers,  forry  I  am  to  fay,  being  lefs  than  I  had  any  conception 
of;  but  necejjity,  dire  necej/ity,  will — nay  muft  juftify  any  attempt.  Pre 
pare,  and  in  concert  with  Griffin,  attack  as  many  of  their  pofts  as  you  pofft- 
bly  can,  with  a  profpeft  of  fuccefs.  The  more  we  attack  at  the  fame 
inltant,  the  more  confufion  we  (hall  fpread,  and  the  greater  good  will  re- 
fult  from  it. 

If  I  had  not  been  fully  convinced  before  of  the  enemy's  defigns,  I  have 
now  ample  teftimony  of  their  intentions  to  attack  Philadelphia,  as  foon  as 
the  ice  will  afford  the  means  of  conveyance. 

As  the  colonels  of  the   continental   regiments  might  kick  up  fome  duft 

about 


about  command,  unlefs  Cadwallader  is  confidered  by  them  in  the  light  of" 
a  brigadier,  which  I  wifh  him  to  be,  I  defircd  general  Gates,  who  is  un 
well,  and  applied  for  leave  to  go  to  Philadelphia,  to  endeavour  if  his 
health  would  permit  him,  to  call  and  ftay  two  or  three  days  at  Briftol  in 
his  way. 

I  fhall  not  be  particular.  We  could  not  ripen  matters  for  our  attack 
before  the  time  mentioned  in  the  firft  part  of  this  letter.  So  much  out  of 
forts,  and  fo  much  in  want  of  every  thing  are  the  troops  under  Sullivan, 
&c.  Let  me  know  by  a  careful  exprefs,  the  plan  you  are  to  purfue.  The 
letter  herewith  fent,  forward  on  to  Philadelphia.  I  could  wiih  it  to  be 
in,  in  time  for  the  fouthern  port's  departure,  which  will  be,  I  believe,  by 
eleven  o'clock  tomorrow.  I  am,  dear  fir, 

Your  moft  obedient  fervant, 

GEO.  WASHINGTON. 

P.  S.  I  have  ordered  our  men  to  be  provided  with  three  days  provi- 
fions,  ready  cook'd ;  with  which,  and  their  blankets  they  are  to  march ; 
for  if  we  are  fucceffful,  which  heaven  grant,  and  other  circumftances  fa 
vour,  we  may  pufh  on.  /  jball  dirett  every  ferry  and  ford  to  be  well 
guarded,  and  not  a  foul  fujfered  to  pafs  without  an  officer's  going  down  with 
the  permit.  Do  the  fame  with  you. 

To  Jofeph  Reed,  efq.  or  in  his  abfence  to 
John  Cadwallader,  efq.  only,  at  Briftol. 

(No.  5.) 
Colonel  Moylan'j  Letter,  May  ji/?,  1777. 

Dear  Sir, 

VERY  foon  after  you  was  appointed  a  brigadier  general,  I  wrote  to 
the  commander  in  chief,  mentioning  that  I  fuppofed  it  would  lay  with 
him  to  appoint  you  to  what  brigade  he  chofe  ;  that  I  was  well  aflured  the 
command  of  the  horfe  would  be  moft  agreeable  to  you,  and  equally  fo 
the  officers  of  that  corps,  who  had  the  pleafure  of  your  acquaintance.  I 
received  an  anfwer  to  that  letter  this  day,  extracts  from  which  are  as  fol 
lows  : 

"  If  Congrefs  have  it  not  in  contemplation  to  appoint  a  general  of 
"  horfe,  but  leave  it  to  me  to  affign  one  of  the  brigadiers  already  ap- 
*'  pointed,  to  that  command,  I  fhall  afTuredly  place  general  Reed  there  ; 
"  as  it  is  agreeable  to  my  own  recommendation  and  original  defign  ;  of 
'*  this  pleafe  in  my  name  inform  him ;  but  add,  as  it  would  not  be  agree- 
"  able  to  me,  and  I  am  fure  could  not  be  fo  to  him,  to  be  placed  in  a 
"  fituation  that  might  be  the  ftanding  of  a  day  only.  I  could  with  to 
*'  know  what  the  views  of  Congrefs  are  on  this  head,  which  Mr.  Thom- 
"  fon  or  any  of  the  members,  I  fuppofe,  can  inform. 

"  I  would  have  wrote  to  general  Reed  myfelf  on  this  fubjedl  and  other 

matters, 


(       68       ) 

"  matters,  but  my  extreme  hurry  will  not  permit  me  to  do  it  fully,  and 
"  therefore  I  decline  it  altogether.  Be  fo  obliging  as  to  offer  my  bell  re- 
"  gards  to  him,  and  affure  him  that  I  read  his  name  in  the  appointment 
"  of  brigadiers  with  great  pleafure." 

In  a  poftfcript  to  the  fame  letter  he  writes, 

"  Having  occafion  to  write  to  Congrefs  by  this  day's  poft,  I  will  rc- 
"  queft  a  determination  of  the  matter  mentioned  in  this  letter,  refpefting 
"  the  commanding  officer  of  the  horfe,  that  I  may  know  with  certainty 
"  on  what  ground  to  aft." 

The  letter  is  dated  Morriftown,  May  24th,  1 777.     I  propofe  fetting  off 
for  camp  on  Monday  or  Tuefday  next ;  I  wifh  to  fee  you  there.     If  you 
cannot  come  foon,  let  me  hear  from  you,  it  will  give  great  pleafure  to 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  affeftionate  fervant, 

STEPHEN  MOYLAN. 

Philadelphia,  31!*  May,  1777. 
General  Reed. 

(No.  6.) 

Extraft  from  General  CadwalladerV  Letter,  jo/A 
November,  1777. 

Head  Quarters,  3Oth  November,  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

W  E  were  confulting  about  winter  quarters  when  your  letter  came  to 
hand,  and  I  detained  your  fervant  in  hopes  of  giving  you  their  determina 
tion,  but  the  general  has  required  the  opinion  of  the  officers  in  writing  at 
10  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. — I  mewed  your  letter  to  the  general. 
Many  of  the  officers  are  for  going  into  winter  quarters,  on  the  line  from 
Lancafter  towards  Eafton — If  this  is  attempted,  I  am  fure  the  troops  will 
march  there  only  to  be  difappointed.  By  the  beft  information,  thofe 
towns  are  crowded  with  inhabitants  from  the  eity,  and  little  fhelter  can 
be  found  there. 

The  general  officers  will  fet  the  example  of  going  home,  the  field  offi 
cers  will  follow  their  example,  captains  and  fubalterns  will  expeft  the 
fame  indulgence,  and  the  foldiers  will  apply  for  furloughs ;  and  if  refufed, 
will  defert.  By  this  means  the  army  will  be  difperfed  through  the  differ 
ent  colonies,  and  it  will  be  impoffible  to  colleft  them  in  time  to  open  an 
early  campaign.  The  country  on  every  fide  will  be  left  to  be  plundered, 
and  vail  numbers  will  apply  for  protection.  The  inhabitants  will  be 
difpirited,  the  credit  of  our  money  ruined,  the  recruiting  fervice  at  an 
end,  and  inevitable  ruin  muft  follow.  It  has  been  propofed  to  take  poft 
at  Wilmington,  and  the  little  towns  in  that  neighbourhood,  and  build 
huts  for  thofe  who  cannot  be  provided  with  quarters.  If  we  do  not  do 
this,  the  enemy  may  take  pofleffion  of  this  poft,  and  with  two  thoufand 

men, 


(       69       ) 

men,  or  three,  which  they  can  eafily  fpare,  and  by  this  means  fecure  the 
lower  counties  on  the  eaftern  more.  By  taking  poflbflion  of  this  ftrong 
port,  and  bringing  down  the  gondolas,  we  may  annoy  the  navigation,  and 
by  being  on  the  fpot  in  the  fpring,  take  fuch  ineafures  as  may  oblige  the 
enemy  to  come  out  and  attack  us  in  the  field.  We  have  good  informa 
tion  that  Cornwallis  is  returned,  and  that  the  enemy  had  orders  to  march 
at  two  o'clock  yefterday  morning.  The  orders  were  not  given  out  till 

dufk the  officers  were  driving  about  in  great  confuiion,  and  were  heard 

to  complain  that  the  orders  came  out  fo  late. 

Cannot  you  come  here  to  morrow  and  advife?  You  can  think  of  the 
matter  to  night.  Your  moil  obedient  and  very  humble  fervant, 

JOHN  CADWALLADER. 

[N.  B.  The  remainder  of  this  letter  contains  only  camp  news.] 

(No.  7.) 
General  Wafhington'j-  Letter  on  the  fame  Subjefl. 

Whitemarfh,  DC.  2,  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  F  you  can  with  any  convenience,  let  me  fee  you  to  day.  I  mail  be 
thankful  for  it.  I  am  about  fixing  the  winter  cantonments  of  the  army  ; 
and  find  fo  many  and  fuch  capital  objections  to  each  mode  propofed,  that 
I  am  exceedingly  embarrafled,  not  only  by  the  advice  given  me,  but  in 
my  own  judgment,  and  Jkould  be  very  glad  of  your  fentiments  on  the  mat 
ter  without  lofs  of  time.  In  hopes  of  feeing  you,  I  mall  only  add,  that 
from  Reading  to  Lancafter  inclufively,  is  the  general  fentiment,  whilft 
Wilmington  and  its  vicinity  has  powerful  advocates.  This,  however,  is 
mentioned  under  the  rofe ;  for  I  am  convinced  in  my  own  opinion,  that 
if  the  enemy  believed  we  had  this  place  in  contemplation,  they  would 
poflefs  themfelves  of  it  immediately.  I  am  very  fincerely,  dear  fir, 
Yours  affectionately, 

GEO.  WASHINGTON. 
General  Reed. 

(No.  8.) 
General  Cadwallader'j  Letter,  loth  December. 

Head  Quarters,   loth  December,  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  F  I  have  in  the  leaft  degree  contributed  to  promote  the  general  caufe, 
I  (hall  think  my  time  well  fpent — As  foon  as  the  army  is  fixed  for  the 
winter,  I  (hall  return  to  my  family  in  Maryland ;  but  think  it  my  duty  to 
render  every  fervice  in  my  power  at  the  opening  of  the  next  campaign. 
I  am  forry  I  cannot  think  as  you  do,  with  refpeft  to  the  accepting  an  ap 
pointment  in  this  ftate — I  look  upon  the  prefent  powers  eftablifhed,  a  moft 

daring 


daring  and  dangerous  ufurpation  ;  and  can  never  confent  to  fupport  or 
even  countenance  it.  I  oppofed  it  as  long  as  thofe  engaged  appeared  in 
earneft,  and  as  long  as  meafures,  which  mult  certainly  have  fucceeded,  were 
fupported.  The  fame  reafons  which  induced  the  gentlemen  (who  have 
given  up  the  caufe)  to  defer  the  oppofition  till  the  prefent  troubles  were 
over,  will  have  as  much  weight  when  the  ftates  are  tired  out  with  a  long 
and  expenfive  war— as  I  conceive  this  government  can  never  be  changed 
without  another  revolution. 

Tour  country  is  much  indebted  for  your  fervices  ;  and  nothing  is  more 
reafonable  than  to  repair  your  lofs. — I  mail  moil  chearfully  take  the  firft 
opportunity  of  metioning  it  to  the  general — and  if  it  cannot  be  done  in 
this  line,  will  write  to  fome  of  the  members  of  Congrefs — The  army 
marches  to-morrow  very  early. 

For  God's  fake  endeavour  to  fupprefs  this  dangerous  faction,  before  it 
gets  too  great  a  length  !     If  it  fucceeds  America  is  loft. 
1  am,  Dear  Sir, 

with  great  refpect  and  efteem, 

your  moft  obedient  humble  fervant, 
General  Reed.  JOHN  CADWALLADER. 

[N.  B.  This  was  an  anfwer  to  a  letter  urging  him  to  accept  a  military 
appointment  under  the  ftate,  and  intimating  a  wifh  to  have  fome  compen- 
fation  made  for  a  valuable  horfe  mot  under  me  in  the  action  a  little  time 
before — This  was  the  fecond,  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth  was  a  third,  but 
no  compenfation  was  ever  made  for  either. 

(No.  9.) 

Extratt  of  General  WafhingtonV  Letter,   i^d  O5lobery 

1779. 

Weft  Point,  Oft.  22d,  1779. 
"  Dear  Sir, 

"THREE  days  ago  I  received  your  obliging  favour  of  the  I4th, 
"  and  was  forry  to  find  you  had  been  fo  much  indifpofed.  Before  this  I 
"  hope  you  have  perfectly  recovered.  Your  early  attention  and  that  of 
"  the  aflembly  to  my  requifitions,  have  my  warmeft  thanks;  and  the 
"  more  fo,  from  the  fituation  in  which  they  found  you.  I  could  wifh, 
"  however,  that  the  three  months  fervice  of  the  militia  had  been  made  to 
"  commence,  only  from  the  time  of  their  joining  the  army.  I  need  not 
"  enter  into  a  detail  of  reafons  for  this  with  you,  as  your  own  judgment 
"  and  experience  will,  I  am  perfuaded,  have  already  anticpated  them. 
"  Your  intention  of  leading  your  militia,  in  cafe  they  are  brought  to  the 
"  field,  is  a  circumftance  honourable  to  yourfelf  and  flattering  to  me.  The 
"  example  alone  would  have  its  weight,  but  feconded  by  your  knowledge 
"  of  difcipline,  abilities,  activity,  and  bravery,  it  could  not  fail  of  happy 

"  effeds. 


(       7'       ) 

"  effects.  Men  are  influenced  greatly  by  the  example  of  their  fuperiors, 
"  and  particularly  fo,  where  they  have  both  their  confidence  and  affec- 
"  tion." 

(No.  10.) 
General  Wafhington'j  Letter,  May  i%tb,  1780. 

Morris  Town,  May  28th,  1780. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  A  M  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  favour  of  the  23d.  Nothing 
could  be  more  neceffary  than  the  aid  given  by  your  ftate  towards  fupply- 
ing  us  with  provifion.  I  affure  you  every  idea  you  can  form  of  our  dif- 
treffes  falls  mort  of  the  reality.  There  is  fuch  a  combination  of  circum- 
ftances  to  exhauft  the  patience  of  the  foldiery,  that  it  begins  at  length  to 
be  worn  out ;  and  we  fee  in  every  line  of  the  army  the  mofl  ferious  fea 
tures  of  mutiny  and  fedition.  All  our  departments — all  our  operations 
are  at  a  stand ;  and  unlefs  a  fyftem  very  different  from  that  which  for  a 
long  time  has  prevailed,  be  immediately  adopted  throughout  the  United 
States,  our  affairs  muft  foon  become  defperate — beyond  the  poffibility  of 
recovery. 

Now,  my  dear  fir,  I  muft  obferve  to  you,  that  much  will  depend  on 
the  rtate  of  Pennfylvania.  She  has  it  in  her  power  to  contribute  without 
comparifon  more  to  our  fuccefs  than  any  other  ftate,  in  the  two  effential 
articles  of  flour  and  tranfportation.  New  York,  Jerfey,  Pennfylvania,  and 
Maryland,  are  our  flour  countries :  Virginia  went  little  on  this  article  the 
laft  crop  (and  her  refources  are  called  for  to  the  fouthward  ;)  New  York  by 
legiflative  coercion  has  already  given  all  (he  could  fpare  for  the  ufe  of  the 
army — her  inhabitants  are  left  with  fcarcely  a  fufficiency  for  their  own 
fubfiftence :  Jerfey  from  being  fo  long  the  place  of  the  army's  refidence, 
is  equally  exhaufted  ;  Maryland  has  made  great  exertions,  but  (he  can  ftill 
do  fomething  more  ;  Delaware  may  contribute  handfomely  in  proportion 
to  her  extent ;  but  Pennfylvania  is  our  chief  dependence  :  From  every 
information  I  can  obtain,  (he  is  at  this  time  full  of  flour.  I  fpeak  to  you 
in  the  language  of  franknefs,  and  as  a  friend.  I  do  not  mean  to  make  any 
inflnuations  unfavourable  to  the  ftate.  I  am  aware  of  the  embarraffments 
the  government  labours  under,  from  the  open  oppofition  of  one  party,  and 
the  underhand  intrigues  of  another.  I  know  that  with  the  beft  difpoiitions 
to  promote  the  public  fervice,  you  have  been  obliged  to  move  with  cir- 
cumfpedtion.  But  this  is  a  time  to  hazard,  and  to  take  a  tone  of  energy 
and  decifion.  All  parties  but  the  difaffecled  will  acquiefce  in  the  neceffity, 
and  give  their  fupport.  The  hopes  and  fears  of  the  people  at  large  may 
be  aded  upon  in  fuch  a  manner,  as  to  make  them  approve  and  fecond 
your  views. 

The  matter  is  reduced  to  a  point.  Either  Pennfylvania  muft  give  us 
all  the  aid  we  a(k  of  her,  or  we  can  undertake  nothing — we  muft  renounce 

every 


(       72       ) 

every  idea  of  a  co-operation,  and  muft  confefs  to  our  allies  that  we  look 
wholly  to  them  for  our  fafety  ;  this  will  be  a  ftate  of  humiliation  and  lit- 
tlenefs  againft  which  the  feelings  of  every  good  American  ought  to  revolt — 
Yours  I  am  convinced  will.  Nor  have  I  the  lead  doubt  that  you  will 
employ  all  your  influence  to  animate  the  legiflature  and  the  people  at 
large.  The  fate  of  thefe  ftates  hangs  upon  it.  God  grant  we  may  be 
properly  imprefled  with  the  confequences. 

I  wifh  the  legiflature  could  be  engaged  to  veft  the  executive  with  pleni 
potentiary  power.  I  mould  then  expect  every  thing  practicable  from 
your  abilities  and  zeal.  This  is  not  a  time  for  formality  or  ceremony. 
The  crifis  in  every  point  of  view  is  extraordinary — and  extraordinary 
expedients  are  neceffary.  I  am  decided  in  this  opinion. 

I  am  happy  to  hear  that  you  have  a  profpect  of  complying  with  the 
requifitions  of  Congrefs  for  fpecific  fupplies ;  that  the  fpirit  of  the  city  and 
ftate  feems  to  revive,  and  the  warmth  of  party  decline.  Thefe  are  good 
omens  of  our  fuccefs.  Perhaps  this  is  the  proper  period  to  unite. 

I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  the  renewal  of  your  affurances  of  per- 
fonal  regard.  My  fentiments  for  you,  you  are  too  well  acquainted  with, 
to  make  it  neceflary  to  tell  you  with  how  much  efteem  and  regard  I  am, 

Dear  Sir, 
Your  moft  obedient  and  affectionate  humble  fervant, 

G.  WASHINGTON. 

(No.  n.) 
General  Wafhington'j  Letter,  ^tb  July,  1780. 

Head  Quarters,  Bergen  County,  July  4th,  1780. 
My  dear  Sir, 

MOTIVES  of  friendfhip,  not  lefs  than  of  public  good,  induce  me 
with  freedom  to  give  you  my  fentiments  on  a  matter,  which  interefts  you 
perfonally  as  well  as  the  good  of  the  common  caufe.  I  flattter  myfelf  you 
will  receive  what  I  fay  in  the  fame  fpirit  which  dictates  it,  and  that  it  will 
have  all  the  influence  circumftances  will  probably  admit. 

The  legiflature  of  Pennfylvania,  has  veiled  you  in  cafe  of  neceflity, 
with  a  power  of  declaring  martial  law  throughout  the  ftate,  to  enable  you 
to. take  fuch  meafures  as  the  exigency  may  demand  ;  fo  far  the  legiflature 
has  done  its  part. — Europe — America — the  ftate  itfelf  will  look  to  you  for 
the  reft.  The  power  vefted  in  you  will  admit  of  all  the  latitude  that 
could  be  defired,  and  may  be  made  to  mean  any  thing  the  public  fafety 
may  require. — If  it  is  not  exerted  proportionably,  you  will  be  refponfible 
for  the  confequences. 

Nothing  my  dear  fir,  can  be  more  delicate  and  critical  than  your  fitua- 
tion — a  full  difcretionary  power  lodged  in  your  hands,  in  conjunction 
with  the  council — great  expectation  in  our  allies  and  in  the  people  of  this 
country— ample  means  in  the  ftate  for  great  exertions  of  every  kind — a 

powerful 


(       73       ) 

powerful  party  on  one  hand,  to  take  advantage  of  every  opening  to  pre 
judice  you — on  the  other,  popular  indolence  and  avarice,  avcrfe  to  every 
meafure  inconfiftent  with  prefent  eafe,  and  prefent  intereft.  In  this 
dilemma,  there  is  a  feeming  danger  on  whatever  fide  you  take ;  it  remains 
to  choofe  that  which  has  leaft  real  danger,  and  will  beft  promote  the 
public  weal.  This  in  my  opinion  clearly,  is  to  exert  the  powers  entrufted 
to  you  with  a  boldnefs  and  vigour  fuited  to  the  emergency. 

In  general  I  efteem  it  a  good  maxim,  that  the  beft  way  to  preferve  the 
confidence  of  the  people  durably,  is  to  promote  their  true  intereft.  There 
are  particular  exigencies  when  this  maxim  has  peculiar  force.  When  any 
great  object  is  in  view,  the  popular  mind  is  roufed  into  expectation,  and 
prepared  to  make  facrifices  of  both  eafe  and  property  ;  if  thofe  to  whom 
they  confide  the  management  of  their  affairs,  do  not  call  them  to  make 
thefe  facrifices,  and  the  object  is  not  attained,  or  they  are  involved  in  the 
reproach  of  not  having  contributed  as  much  as  they  ought  to  have  done 
towards  it ; — they  will  be  mortified  at  the  difappointment,  they  will  feel 
the  cenfure,  and  their  refentment  will  rife  againft  thofe,  who  with  fufficient 
authority  have  omitted  to  do  what  their  intereft  and  their  honour  required. 
Extenfive  powers  not  exercifed  as  far  as  was  neceffary,  have  I  believe 
fcarcely  ever  failed  to  ruin  the  poffeffor.  The  legiflature  and  the  people 
in  your  cafe  would  be  very  glad  to  excufe  themfelves  by  condemning  you. 
You  would  be  aflailed  with  blame  from  every  quarter ;  and  your  enemies 
would  triumph. 

I  write  to  you  with   the   freedom   of  friendfhip,  and  1  hope  you  will 
efteem  it  the  trueft  mark  I  could  give  you  of  it. — In  this  view,  whether 
you  think  my  obfervations  well   founded  or  not,  the  motive  will,  I  am 
perfuaded,  render  them  agreeable. — In  offering  my  refpedls  to  Mrs.  Reed 
I  muft  be  permitted  to  accompany  them  with  a  tender  of  very  warm  ac 
knowledgements  to  her  and  you,  for  the  civilities  and  attention  both  of  you 
have  been   pleafed  to  mew  Mrs.  Wafhington — and   for  the  honour  you 
have  done  me  in  calling  the  young  Chriftian  by  my  name. 
With  the  greateft  regard, 
I  am,  Dear  Sir, 

Your  affectionate  humble  fervant, 

G.  WASHINGTON. 
His  excellency  Jofeph  Reed,  efquire. 

(No.  12,) 

My  Letter  to   General  Wafhington,  dated  September 
nth,  1782. 

Dear  Sir, 

AFTER  the  fervices,  fufferings,  and  anxieties  of  the  winter   1776, 

I  little  expected  that  period  would  be  felected  as  the  feafon  of  my  greateft 

reproach,  and  that  I  fliould  ftand  publicly  charged  with  not  only  meditat- 

K  ing, 


(       74       ) 

ing,  but  actually  exprefling  intentions  of  deferring  to  the  enemy  :  Yet  fir, 
fo  it  is  ;  not  mere  news  paper  abufe,  or  tranfient  report,  but  actually  coun 
tenanced  and  fupported  by  a  perfon  of  fome  rank  and  appearance  in  the 
world  :  Having  never  afked  or  received  any  public  favour  from  Congrefs, 
confcious  of  my  own  integrity,  and  deeply  wounded  with  the  cruel  fuggef- 
tion,  I  muft  appeal  to  your  juftice  and  candour,  and  moft  earneftly  requeft 
you  would  by  the  bearer,  who  goes  exprefs  for  the  purpofe,  favour  me 
with  a  few  lines  expreffive  of  your  fenfe  of  my  conduct  in  the  fall  and 
winter  of  the  year  1776 ;  and  particularly  whether  you  ever  heard,  or  at 
any  time  entertained  doubts  of  my  fidelity,  and  whether  under  the  com 
munications  made  to  me  of  our  military  operations,  an  apprehended 
treachery  on  my  part  would  not  have  made  me  a  very  dangerous  character. 

I  would  farther  beg  you  would  permit  my  making  ufe  of  fundry  letters 
I  have  received  from  you,  at  a  time  when  you  appeared  to  repofe  an  un- 
referved  confidence  in  me,  and  of  which,  I  can  appeal  to  that  God  who 
knows  the  fecrets  of  all  hearts,  I  was  not  (in  point  of  integrity)  unworthy. 

As  I  never  availed  myfelf  of  your  excellency's  friendmip  to  feek  for 
honour  or  profit,  or  even  for  the  reparation  of  lofles  actually  fuftained  in 
the  fervice,  I  have  the  fulleft  confidence  that  you  will  moft  chearfully 
comply  with  this,  to  me,  moft  interefting  requeft ;  and  mould  you  de- 
fcend  to  particulars,  you  will  be  pleafed  to  point  them  to  the  period  which 
intervened  between  our  retreat  from  Hackenfack,  and  the  revival  of  our 
affairs  at  Princeton. 

My  memory  fuggefts  to  me  a  letter  I  wrote  your  excellency  from  Briftol, 
containing  reafons  for  an  attack  on  the  enemy;  if  that  letter  can  be  ob 
tained,  I  am  perfuaded  it  contains  fentiments  of  a  very  different  nature 
from  thofe  of  which  I  complain,  and  would  be  particularly  ufeful. 

I  mall  make  no  other  ufe  of  any  communications  1  now  have,  or  you 
may  favour  me  with,  than  to  vindicate  my  own  character  againft  the  ma 
lignant  imputation  of  intending  a  defertion  to  the  enemy.     And  am 
With  the  greateft  refpect, 

Your  excellency's  humble  fervant, 

JOSEPH  REED. 

(No.  13.) 
General  WafhingtonV  Anfwer. 

Verplank's  Point,  i  5th  September,  1782. 
Dear  Sir, 

THE  appeal  contained  in  your  letter  of  the  I  ith  inftant,  is  equally 
unexpected  and  furprifing. 

Not  knowing  the  particular  charges  which  are  alledged  againft  you,  it  is 
impoflible  for  me  to  make  a  fpecific  reply.  I  can  therefore  only  fay  in 
general  terms,  that  the  employments  you  fuftained  in  the  year  1776,  and 
in  that  period  of  the  year,  when  we  experienced  our  greateft  diftrefs,  are 


(       75       ) 

a  proof  that  you  was  not  fufpedled  by  me  of  infidelity,  or  want  of  inte 
grity  ;  for  had  the  leaft  fufpicion  of  the  kind  reached  my  mind,  either 
from  obfervation  or  report,  I  mould  moft  affuredly  have  marked  you  out 
as  a  fit  object  of  refcntment. 

While  on  our  retreat  through  Jerfey,  I  remember  your  being  fent  from 
Newark,  to  the  aflembly  of  New  Jerfey,  then  fitting,  to  roufe  and  animate 
them  to  fpirited  meafures  for  our  fupport ;  and  at  the  fame  time  gen. 
Mifflin  was  fent  to  Pennfylvania  for  the  same  purpofe.  This  employ  was 
certainly  a  mark  of  my  confidence  in  you  at  that  time. 

Your  conduct,  fo  far  as  it  came  to  my  immediate  notice,  during  the 
(hort  period  we  lay  on  the  weft  bank  of  the  Delaware,  appeared  follicitous 
for  the  public  good.  And  your  conduct  at  Princeton  evidenced  a  fpirit 
and  zeal,  which  to  me  appeared  laudable  and  becoming  a  man  well  affected 
to  the  cau(e  we  were  engaged  in. 

It  is  rather  a  difagreeable  circumftance,  to  have  private  and  confidential 
letters,  haftily  written  as  all  mine  of  that  clafs  are,  upon  a  fuppofition  that 
they  would  remain  between  the  parties  only,  produced  as  evidence  in  a 
matter  of  public  difcuffion ;  but  confcious  that  my  public  and  private  fen- 
timents,  are  at  all  times  alike ;  I  mail  not  withhold  thefe  letters  mould  you 
think  them  abfolutely  neceffary  to  your  juftification. 

If  I  have  in  my  pofleffion  any  fuch  letter  as  you  particularly  allude  to, 
it  is  not  at  prefent  with  me — being  in  the  field  perfectly  light,  I  have  di 
verted  myfelf  of  all  papers,  public  and  private ;  but  fuch  of  late  date  as  I 
thought  I  might  have  occafion,  in  my  prefent  fituation,  to  refer  to,  the 
others  remain  at  a  confiderable  diftance  from  me. 

I  am,  Dear  Sir, 
Your  obedient  and  moft  humble  fervant, 

G.   WASHINGTON. 
The  hon.  Jofeph  Reed,  efquire, 

(No.    14.) 

Extraffi  of  a  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  Clement 
Biddle,  Efquire>  dated  September  i/?5  1782. 

"  I  A  M  vexed  to  fee  the  ingratitude  fhewn  to  general  Reed.  It  is 
"  almoft  enough  to  put  one  out  of  conceit  of  ferving  the  public." 

£A  number  of  other  letters  from  general  Greene  contain  the  fame  idea.] 

(No.  15.) 
In  General  Aflembly,  October  10,  1779. 

Refolved  unanimoufly, 

THAT  leaving  to  the  judicial  authority  of  the  itate  to  determine  who 
were  to  blame  in  the  late  dangerous  tumult  at  and  in  the  houfe  of  James 
Wilfon,  efquire,  in  Walnut  Street,  this  houfe  are  fully  fatisfied  of  the  ne- 

ceflity 


(       76       ) 

ceflity  of  the  exertions  of  his  excellency  the  prefident  of  the  flate,  for  lup- 
prefling  the  faid  tumult;  that  the  thanks  of  the  houfe  be  given  to  his  ex 
cellency  for  his  fpiritcd  and  prudent  conduct  on  that  unhappy  occafion, 
and  that  his  excellency  be  aflured,  that  this  houfe  will  at  all  times  fupport 
him  and  the  executive  authority  in  fuppreffing  all  fuch  dangerous  and  dif- 
orderly  proceedings,  and  in  reftoring  peace,  good  order,  and  a  due  obedi 
ence  to  government,  on  which  the  liberty,  happinefs  and  fafety  of  the 
citizens  fo  greatly  depend. 

[N.  B.  Soon  after,  at  the  inftance  of  the  author  of  thefe  remarks,  and 
gentlemen  in  the  fame  political  intereft,  an  aft  of  indemnity  pafled  ;  by 
which  all  the  gentlemen  who  were  in  an  oppofite  intereft,  and  under  re 
cognizance  to  abide  a  legal  trial,  were  difcharged  without  farther  inquiry, 
notwithftanding  many  lives  were  loft  in  the  tumult.] 

As  many  Gentlemen  of  the  Army  have  received  very  undue 
ImpreJJions  rejpe&ting  the  Settlement  of  the  Mutiny  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Line,  the  following  Letters  and  Report 
are  introduced  into  this  Work. 

Dear  Sir,  Princeton,  4th  Jan.  1781. 

THE  unhappy  defeclion  of  our  line  you  muft  have  been  made  ac 
quainted  with  by  general  Potter  and  colonel  Johnfton.  Colonel  Charles 
Stewart  will  prefent  you  with  fome  proportions  on  the  part  of  the  troops, 
together  with  our  anfwer ;  he  will  alfo  be  able  to  give  you  an  idea  of  our 
fituation  and  their  temper. 

Inclofed  are  copies  of  a  very  ferious  queftion,  and  our  reply ;  you  will 
therefore  pleafe  to  appoint  one  or  more  of  the  council,  to  meet  us  at  this 
place  with  all  poffible  difpatch,  with  full  powers  to  them  and  us  to  treat, 
on  the  fubjed ;  and  inform  us  what  profpefts  you  have  of  furnifhing  an 
immediate  fupply  of  cloathing  and  cam,  which  will  be  indifpenfably  ne- 
ceflary  to  infure  fuccefs. 

We  fhall  not  attempt  to  exprefs  our  feelings  on  this  unfortunate  occa 
fion;  your  own  will  be  the  bell  criterion  to  judge  them  by. 

We  have  yet  fome  glimmering  of  hope  from  the  inclofed  copy  of  a  letter 
giving  intelligence  of  the  enemy's  intended  manoeuvre,  as  the  troops  aflures 
us  they  will  a<5l  with  dcfperation  againft  them :  whether  this  be  their  real 
fentiments  or  not,  a  few  hours  will  probably  determine.  Be  that  as  it 
may,  and  mould  the  worft  events  take  place,  we  truft  that  we  produce  a 
convidion  to  the  world  that  we  deferved  a  better  fate. 

We  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  fincere  efteem, 

Your  excellency's  moft  obedient  humble  fervants, 
ANTy.  WAYNE, 

His  Excellency  R I  C  H  D.   BUTLER, 

Jofeph  Reed,  efq.  WALTER  STEWART. 

A 


(       77       ) 

A  Copy  of  General  Wayne' s  Proportions  the  Day  after 
the  Mutiny. 

Mount  Kimble,  2d  January,  1781. 

AGREEABLE  to  the  proportion  of  a  very  great  proportion  of  the 
worthy  foldiery  laft  evening,  general  Wayne  hereby  defires  the  non  com- 
miffioncd  officers  and  privates  to  appoint  one  man  from  each  regiment  to 
reprefent  their  grievances  to  the  general,  who  on  the  facred  honour  of  a 
gentleman  and  foldier  does  hereby  folemnly  promife  to  exert  every  power 
to  obtain  an  immediate  redrefs  of  thofe  grievances  ;  and  he  farther  plights 
that  honour,  that  no  man  mail  receive  the  leaft  injury  on  account  of  the 
part  they  have  taken  on  the  occafion,  and  the  perfons  of  thofe  who  may 
be  appointed  to  fettle  this  affair,  mail  be  held  facred  and  inviolate. 

The  general  hopes  foon  to  return  to  camp  with  all  his  brother  foldiers, 
who  took  a  little  tour  laft  evening.  (Signed) 

ANTHONY    WAYNE,  B.C. 

A  copy, 

W.  STEWART,  Col. 

In  purfuance  of  the  within  order,  a  fergeant  from  each  regiment,  met 
general  Wayne,  colonels  Butler  and  Stewart,  and  mentioned  the  following 
grievances,  viz. 

1 .  Many  men  continued   in  the  fervice,  after  the  expiration  of  their 
inliftments. 

2.  The  arrearages  of  pay,  and  the  depreciation,  not  yet  made  up,  and 
the  foldiers  fuffering  every  extreme  for  want  of  money  and  cloathing. 

3.  That  it  is  very  hurtful  to  the  feelings  of  the  foldiery  to  be  prevented 
from  difpofmg  of  their  depreciation   certificates  as  they  pleafe,  without 
confulting  any  perfon  on  the  occafion. 

It  is  agreed  on  the  part  of  the  general  and  the  colonels,  that  one  dif- 
interefted  fergeant  or  private  from  each  regiment,  mail,  with  the  com 
manding  officer  of  the  corps,  when  an  inliftment  is  difputed,  determine  on 
the  cafe. 

A  fergeant  from  each  regiment  to  be  appointed  to  carry  an  addrefs  to 
Congrefs,  backed  by  the  general  and  field  officers. 

The  fergeants  then  made  feveral  proportions  to  general  Wayne,  which 
with  his  anfwers  are  as  follows ; 

Proportions  dated  January  4,  1781,  delivered  to  General 

Wayne. 

Propofals  from  the  Committee   of  Sergeants   now  reprefenting  the  Penn- 
fylvania  line,  artillery,  &c. 

Article  i.  That  all  and  fuch  men  as  were  inlifted  in  the  year  1776  or 
1777,  and  received  the  bounty  of  twenty  dollars,  (hall  be  without  any 

delay 


(       78       ) 

delay  difcharged,  and  all  arrears  of  pay,  depreciation  of  pay,  be  paid  to 
the  {aid  men,  without  any  fraud,  cloathing  included 

Art.  2.  Such  men  as  were  inlifted  fince  the  year  1777,  and  received 
the  hundred  and  twenty  dollars  bounty,  or  any  more  additions,  mail  be 
intituled  to  their  difcharge  at  the  expiration  of  three  years  from  the  date 
of  their  faid  inliftments,  and  their  full  depreciation  of  pay  and  all  arrears 
of  cloathing. 

Art.  3.  That  all  fuch  men  as  belong  to  the  different  regiments  as  are 
inlifted  of  late  for  the  war,  that  they  receive  the  remainder  part  of  their 
bounty  and  pay,  and  all  arrears  of  cloathing  ;  that  they  mail  return  to 
their  refpeftive  corps,  and  do  their  duty  as  formerly,  and  no  afperfion  to 
be  caft,  and  no  grievances  to  be  repeated  to  the  faid  men. 

Art.  4.  Thofe  foldiers  that  are  inlifted  and  receive  their  difcharge  and 
all  arrears  of  pay  and  cloathing,  mail  not  be  compelled  to  ftay  by  any 
former  officers  commanding  any  longer  time  than  what  is  agreeable  to 
their  own  pleafure  and  difpofitions,  of  thofe  that  do  remain  for  a  fmall 
time  as  volunteers  that  they  (hall  be  at  their  own  difpofal  and  pleafure. 

Art.  5.  As  we  now  depend  and  rely  upon  you,  general  Wayne,  for  to 
reprefent  and  repeat  our  grievances,  we  do  agree  in  conjunction  from  this 
date  Jan.  4.  in  fix  days  for  to  complete  and  fettle  every  fuch  demand  as 
the  above  four  articles  mention. 

Ait.  6.  That  the  whole  line  are  actually  agreed  and  determined  to  fup- 
port  thefe  above  articles  in  every  particular. 

Signed  in  conjunction. 

General  Wayne  having  maturely  confidered  the  foregoing  propofals  and 
articles  prefented  to  him  by  the  fergeants  in  behalf  of  themfelves,  the  ar 
tillery  and  privates  of  the  Pennfylvania  line,  thinks  proper  to  return  the 
following  anfwer : 

That  all  fuch  non  commiflioned  officers  and  foldiers  as  are  juftly  intitled 
to  their  difcharges  mall  be  immediately  fettled  with,  their  accounts  pro 
perly  adjufted,  and  certificates  for  their  pay,  arrearages  of  pay  and  cloath 
ing  given  them,  agreeable  to  the  refolution  ofCongrefs,  and  the  late  aft  of 
the  honourable  aflembly  of  Pennfylvania,  for  making  up  the  depreciation, 
and  be  difcharged  the  fervice  of  the  United  States : 

That  all  fuch  non  commiffioned  officers  and  privates  belonging  to  the 
refpeclive  regiments,  artillery  or  infantry,  as  are  not  entitled  to  their  dif 
charges,  (hall  be  alfo  fettled  with,  and  certificates  given  them  for  their  pay, 
depreciation,  and  cloathing,  in  like  manner  as  thofe  before  mentioned  ; 
which  certificates  are  to  be  redeemable  at  a  fhort  period  as  the  nature  of 
the  cafe  admits,  to  be  paid  in  hard  cam,  or  an  equivalent  of  the  current 
money  of  thefe  ftates,  and  be  immediately  furnifhed  with  comfortable 
warm  cloathing,  they  returning  to  their  duty  as  worthy  faithful  foldiers. 

Thefe  propofitions  are  founded  on  principles  of  juftice  and  honour, 
between  the  United  States  and  the  foldiery  ;  which  is  all  that  reafonable 


(       79       ) 

men  can  expect,  or  that  a  general  can  promife,  confiftent  with  his  ftation 
and  duty,  and  the  mutual  benefit  of  their  country  and  the  line,  which  he 
has  had  fo  long  the  honour  to  command. 

If  the  foldiers  are  determined  not  to  let  reafon  and  juftice  govern  on 
this  occafion  he  has  only  to  lament  the  fatal  and  unfortunate  fituation  to 
which  they  will  reduce  themfelves  and  their  country. 

(Signed)  ANTHONY    WAYNE. 

Commander  Pennfylvania  Line. 
Princeton,  January  4,  1781. 

General  Wayne  then  received  the  following  note : 

SIR, 

WE  would  be  glad  you  would  inform  us  who  thefe  men  are  that  you 
mean,  that  are  entitled  to  their  difcharges.—  As  we  jointly  think,  that  you 
don't  deem  the  men  inlifted  with  the  bounty  of  twenty  dollars,  to  be  in- 
titled  to  their  difcharges ;  therefore,  Sir,  be  punctual,  what  you  fay  and 
do ;  as  we  reafonably  think  it  is  our  due.  (Signed) 

Committee. 
Wm.  BEARNET,  Sergeant. 

To  which  General  Wayne  returned  the  following  anfwer  : 

Princeton,  Jan.  4,  1781. 

THE  queftion  afked  me  by  the  committee  of  fergeants  is  one  of  fuch 
important  confequence,  and  on  which  fo  great  a  variety  of  opinions  are 
given,  and  your  not  choofing  to  leave  it  to  the  decifion  of  a  committee  of 
yourfelves,  and  the  colonel  of  the  regiment,  where  any  difpute  might  arife, 
agreeable)  to  the  propofitions  of  yefterday)  I  cannot  think  myfelf  fully  im- 
powered  to  decide  upon  the  occafion  ;  but  will  immediately  fend  off  an 
exprefs  to  the  governor  and  council  of  the  ftate  of  Pennfylvania,  and  de- 
fire  a  committee  of  that  body  to  meet  the  line  at  Trenton,  or  elfewhere, 
who  with  myfelf  and  colonels  Butler  and  Stewart,  will  give  you  a  full  and 
explicit  anfwer. 

General  Wayne  afterwards  received  the  undermentioned  note  : 

SIR, 

AS  we  know  we  are  upon  a  principle  of  honour,  juftice  and  right,  we 
are  now  as  well  lituated  to  receive  any  gentlemen  of  rank,  at  this  port,  as 
if  we  were  to  march  any  further,  and  therefore  I  would  not  have  you 
think  that  we  cannot  fettle  thefe  matters,  by  fuch  a  formidable  body  of 
men  as  we  are :  therefore  mould  be  glad  you  would  be  explicit  in  your 
expreffions,  or  otherways  we  muft  take  fome  meafures  that  will  procure 
our  own  happinefs. 

To  the  above  note,  general  Wayne,  colonels  Butler  and  Stewart  would 
not  reply.  (Copy) 

W.  STEWART,  Col. 

HIS 


HIS  excellency  Jofeph  Reed,  efquire,  Prefident,  and  the  honourable 
brigadier  general  Potter  of  the  Council  of  Pennfylvania,  having  heard  the 
complaints  of  the  foldiers  as  reprefented  by  the  fergeants,  inform  them 
that  they  are  fully  authorifed  to  redrefs  reafonable  grievances,  and  they 
have  the  fulleft  difpofition  to  make  them  as  eafy  as  poffible  ;  for  which 
end  they  propofe, 

Firil,  That  no  non  commiffioned  officer  or  foldier  mail  be  detained 
beyond  the  time  for  which  he  freely  and  voluntarily  engaged ;  but  where 
they  appear  to  have  been  in  any  refpeft  compelled  to  enter  or  fign,  fuch 
inliflment  to  be  deemed  void,  and  the  foldier  difcharged. 

Secondly,  To  fettle  who  are  or  are  not  bound  to  ftay,  three  perfons  to 
be  appointed  by  the  prefident  and  the  council,  and  who  are  to  examine 
into  the  terms  of  inlillment ;  where  the  original  inliftments  cannot  be 
found,  the  foldier's  oath  to  be  admitted  to  prove  the  time  and  terms  of 
inliilment,  and  the  foldier  to  be  difcharged  upon  his  oath  of  the  condition 
of  the  inliflment. 

Thirdly,  Wherever  any  foldier  has  inlifled  for  three  years  or  during 
the  war,  he  is  to  be  difcharged,  unlefs  he  mall  appear  afterwards  to  have 
reinliiled  voluntarily  and  freely  ;  the  gratuity  of  one  hundred  dollars  given 
by  Congrefs  not  to  be  reckoned  as  a  bounty,  or  any  man  to  be  retained 
in  confequence  of  that  gratuity.  The  commiffioners  to  be  appointed  by 
the  Prefident  and  Council  to  adjufl  any  difficulties  which  may  arife  on 
this  article  alfo. 

Fourthly,  The  auditors  to  attend  as  foon  as  poffible,  to  fettle  the  de 
preciation  with  the  foldiers,  and  give  them  certificates.  Their  arrearages 
of  pay  to  be  made  up,  as  foon  as  circumftances  will  admit. 

Fifthly,  A  pair  of  fhoes,  overalls,  and  fhirt  will  be  delivered  out  to  each 
foldier  in  a  few  days ;  as  they  are  already  purchafed  and  ready  to  be  fent 
forward,  whenever  the  line  mail  be  fettled. 

Thofe  who  are  difcharged  to  receive  the  above  articles  at  Trenton,  pro 
ducing  their  General's  difcharge. 

The  Prefident  hopes  that  no  foldier  of  the  Pennfylvania  line  will  break 
his  bargain,  or  go  from  the  contract  made  with  the  public  ]  and  they  may 
depend  upon  it,  that  the  utmoft  care  will  be  taken  to  furnim  them  with 
every  necelTary  fitting  for  a  foldier.  The  Prefident  will  recommend  to 
the  Hate  to  take  fome  favourable  notice  of  thofe  who  engaged  for  the  war. 

The  commiffioners  will  attend  at  Trenton,  where  the  cloathing  and 
(lores  will  be  immediately  brought,  and  the  regiments  to  be  fettled  within 
their  order.  A  field  officer  of  each  regiment  to  attend  during  the  fettle- 
ment  of  his  regiment. 

Purfuant  to  general  Wayne's  order  of  the  zd  inftant,  no  man  to  be 
brought  to  any  trial  or  cenfure  for  what  has  happened  on  or  fince  new- 
year's  day,  but  all  matters  to  be  buried  in  oblivion. 

[N.  B.  The  above  propofals  are  publifhed  to  rectify  fome  erroneous 
opinions,  that  in  the  fettlement  made  with  the  revolted  foldiery,  greater 

conceffions 


conceflions  were  made  than  were  necefTary,  or  would  have  been  agreed  to 
by  the  officers  with  them.  Thefe  officers  were  confulted  on  thefe  propo- 
iitions,  which  were  approved  by  them.  Let  them  be  compared  with  thofe 
made  by  the  foldiers,  the  zd  January,  page  77,  and  agreed  to  by  the 
general  and  colonels,  on  the  4th  January,  page  78,  and  then  fee  whether 
the  feelings  of  the  officers  would  be  moll  wounded,  by  fitting  in  equal 
judgment  with  their  own  privates  and  fergeants,  or  by  the  mode  propofed 
and  purfucd. 

Extraft  from  Journals  of  the  Aflembly. 

Saturday,  June  2,  1781.  A.  M. 

The  following  letter   from  his  excellency  the  prefident  of  this  ftate,  was 

prefented  to  the  fpeaker,  and  by  order  read,  viz. 
SIR,  Philadelphia,  June  zd,  1781. 

IT  is  with  concern  I  find  myfelf  under  the  neceffity  of  recalling  the  at 
tention  of  the  honourable  houfe,  to  a  fubjecl:  which  I  hoped  would  have 
been  buried  in  oblivion.  I  mean  the  mutiny  of  the  Pennsylvania  line  laft 
winter.  Seeking  no  praife,  but  as  I  conceive,  deferving  no  cenfure  for  the 
tranfa6lion,  as  conducted  by  general  Potter  and  myfelf,  I  find  prejudices 
diffufed  injurious,  not  only  to  our  public  characters,  but  to  the  intereft 
and  credit  of  the  government.  I  am  therefore  to  requeft  the  houfe  would 
be  pleafed  to  re-appoint  a  committee  of  inquiry,  upon  whofe  report,  the 
fenfe  of  the  legiflature  may  be  publicly  declared  :  If  it  mall  appear  that 
the  welfare  of  the  rtate,  the  rights  of  the  officers,  or  the  more  general  in 
tereft  of  America,  have  been  wantonly  or  ignorantly  facrificed,  we  are 
content,  and  it  will  be  the  duty  of  the  houfe,  to  affix  a  mark  of  difappro- 
bation  upon  our  meafures ;  if  otherwife,  juftice  and  candour  will,  we  truft, 
equally  lead  to  juftify  and  approve. 

As  fome  gentlemen  whofe  prefence  may  be  necefTary,  are  about  leaving 
town  on  public  duty,  I  mutt  beg  the  favour  of  the  houfe  to  expedite  the 
execution  of  my  requeft  if  it  meets  with  approbation.  I  am  Sir, 

With  great  refpecl  and  regard,  your  obedient  and  humble  fervant, 

JOSEPH  REED. 
The  Hon.  Frederic  A.  Muhlenberg,  Efquire, 

Speaker  of  the  General  Aflembly. 

On  motion  and  by  fpecial  order,  the  faid  letter  was  read  a  fecond  time, 
and  being  coniidered  it  was 

Ordered,  that  Mr.  R.  Morris,  Mr.  Galbraith,  Mr.  Mifflin,  Mr.  J. 
Harris,  and  Mr.  Montgomery,  be  a  committee  of  inquiry,  for  the  pur- 
pofes  therein  expreffed. 

Monday,  June  ilth,  1781,  A.  M. 

The  report  of  the  committee  of  inquiry,  made  on  the  eighth  inftant, 

was  read  the  fecond  time,  and  on  confideration,  agreed  to  as  follows,  viz. 

L  The 


The  committee  to  which  the  letter  from  his  excellency  the  prefident  of 
the  ftate  of  the  zd  inftant,  was  referred,  beg  leave  to  report, 

That  all  the  members  of  the  committee,  except  Mr.  Galbraith,  were 
members  of  a  committee,  appointed  by  the  houfe,  at  their  laft  fitting,  to 
examine  into  the  caufes,  and  the  confequent  tranfaclions  of  the  mutiny  of 
the  Pennfylvania  line,  of  the  army  of  the  United  States ;  upon  which  they 
reported  among  other  things  (as  appears  by  the  minutes  of  the  houfe) 
that  all  the  engagements,  or  promifes  made  by  his  excellency  the  prefident 
of  this  ftate,  and  general  Potter,  ought  to  be  fulfilled  as  foon  as  poflible; 
and  that  the  houfe  mould  take  moft  effectual  means  to  enable  a  compliance 
therewith,  that  committee  being  perfectly  well  fatisfied  that  his  excellency 
the  prefident  and  general  Potter,  had  conducted  the  bufinefs,  fo  far  as  they 
were  concerned,  with  great  zeal  and  attention  to  their  country  ;  and  that 
general  Wayne,  col.  Butler  and  col.  Stuart,  actuated  by  the  fame  zeal  and 
attachment,  had  alfo  done  every  thing  in  their  power  to  bring  the  foldiery 
back  to  their  duty. 

Your  prefent  committee,  agreeable  to  the  requeft  of  his  excellency, 
having  gone  into  the  confederation  of  thefe  matters,  in  confequence  of  re 
ports  that  have  been  spread  through  the  country  to  his  difadvantage,  and 
having  heard  feveral  gentlemen  on  the  fubjecl,  who  were  witnefTes  to  the 
whole  or  greateft  part  of  thefe  tranfaftions,  are  now  of  opinion  that  his 
excellency  the  prefident  of  this  ftate,  and  general  Potter,  did  proceed  upon 
the  bufinefs  aforefaid,  by  appointment  of  the  honourable  the  fupreme  ex 
ecutive  council,  and  alfo  at  the  defire  and  fpecial  requeft  of  general  Wayne, 
cols.  Butler  and  Stuart,  as  appears  by  their  letter,  dated  Princeton,  January 
4th,  1781,  that  they  were  likewife  impowered  fo  to  do  by  Congrefs,  and 
that  their  meafures  were  acquiefced  in  by  a  committee  of  Congrefs  fent 
there  for  the  like  purpofe.  And  finally  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  commit 
tee,  that  his  excellency  the  prefident  of  this  ftate,  and  general  Potter,  did 
render  on  that  occafion,  every  fervice  to  their  country,  that  circumftanccs 
and  the  nature  of  the  tranfadion  would  admit  of. 


FINIS. 


REPLY 

TO 

GENERAL    JOSEPH    REED's 

REMARKS. 


REPLY 

T  O 

GENERAL    JOSEPH     REED's 

REMARKS, 

O  N    A 
LATE    PUBLICATION 

I  N     T  H  E 

Independent     Gazetteer, 
With  fome  OBSERVATIONS  on  his 

ADDRESS 

TO  THE 

PEOPLE   OF    PENNSYLVANIA. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

Printed  and  Sold  by  T.  BRADFORD,  in  Front-Street,  the  Fourth 
Door  below  the  Coffee-Houfe,     MDCCLXXXIU. 


To   the    PUBLIC. 


WH  E  N  an  appeal  is  made  to  the  public  by 
a  perfon  who  has  interefted  himfelf  in 
the  affairs  of  America  from  the  begin 
ning  of  the   preient   revolution,   he  has  a  claim  to 
their  attention,  with  refpect  to  tranfactions  that  re 
flect  either  upon  his  political  conduct  or  principles 
as  a  patriot. 

I  wifh,  moft  fincerely,  that  all  prejudices  in  fa 
vor  or  againft  General  Reed,  or  myfelf  may  be  laid 
aiide  upon  the  prefent  occaiion ;  and  that  truth 
and  juftice  may  influence  the  determination  of  the 
public. 

The  world  is  now  in  pofleffion  of  General  Reed's 
addrefs  to  me,  relating  to  a  converfation  I  had  with 
him  at  Briftol,  in  the  winter  1776,  and  as  it  con 
tains  the  groffeft  reflections  upon  my  character  as  a 
man  of  veracity,  and  a  patriot,  it  is  incumbent  on 
me  to  reply. 

Mankind  have  been  much  the  fame,  in  every  age, 
with  refpect  to  their  conduct  in  political  life.  Their 
minds  have  been  inflamed  by  the  fame  paffions, 
prejudices  and  refentments  ;  and  parties  have  gene 
rally  been  fupported  by  complaints  and  reprefenta- 
tions,  which  naturally  grow  into  invective  and 
perfonal  abufe. 

From 


(       6       ) 

From  thefe  principles,  General  Reed  has  deduced 
thofe  arguments  and  conclufions,  which  he  vainly 
affects  to  think  will  juftify  him  in  afferting,  that  my 
conduct  has  been  influenced  by  motives  of  hatred, 
refentment,  and  difappointed  ambition.  But  when 
it  (hall  appear,  from  the  teftimony  I  have  inierted 
in  the  following  meets,  that  the  converfation  alluded 
to,  was  fpoken  of  by  me,  in  confidence,  at  a  time 
when  he  afferts  that  all  former  perfonal  diflike  was 
removed,  and  that  "  we  united  in  confidence  and 
danger  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth,"  at  a  time  too 
when  he  admits,  that  "  no  party  or  prejudices  ex- 
ifted  (at  leaft  as  to  him) ;"  the  premiies,  from  which 
he  has  drawn  his  conclufions,  muft  be  removed, 
and,  confequently,  his  arguments  fall  with  them. 

If  my  bare  affirmative,  againft  his  negative,  was 
the  only  foundation  on  which  the  public  were  to 
found  their  judgment,  our  feveral  characters,  in  the 
article  of  veracity,  would  be  fairly  weighed  by  can 
dor,  and  a  verdict  given  in  favor  of  the  preponde 
rating  fcale. 

If  then,  I  had  hazarded  an  affertion,  without 
other  (the  moft  refpectable)  teftimony  to  fupport  it, 
the  conicioufnefs  of  my  own  integrity,  would  have 
fupprefied  any  fears,  with  refpect  to  the  public 
opinion. 

The  many  and  hafty  movements  of  my  family 
during  the  prefent  conteft,  have  difplaced  feveral 
valuable  papers  relating  to  property  as  well  as  mili 
tary  affairs.  I  do  not  however  defpair  of  yet  find 
ing  important  ones  relating  to  this  matter,  that 
may  fome  time  hence  be  published.  But  what 
need  is  there  of  more  than  I  mall  here  adduce, 


(       7       ) 

fince  every  prejudiced  mind  muft  feel  (if  not  ac 
knowledge)  the  teftimony  too  refpeclable  and  pow 
erful,  to  admit  of  apology  or  reply — -Teftimony  too, 
obtained  (in  many  inftances)  from  perfons  to  whom 
I  am  fcarcely  known — perfons  refiding  in  other 
ftates,  who  cannot  be  fuppofed  to  be  the  particular 
enemies  of  General  Reed,  or  in  any  way  connected 
with  the  politics  of  Pennfylvania. 

Many  other  certificates  fupporting  and  confirm 
ing  thole  I  (hall  here  offer  to  the  public,  are  omit 
ted,  as  it  is  thought  they  will  (well  the  publication 
to  an  unneceffary  fize ;  and  affidavits  may,  if  re 
quired,  be  obtained  to  all  the  certificates  which 
appear  in  this  pamphlet. 


M 


As  the  publication  figned  BRUTUS,  addreffed  to 
General  Reed,  containing  certain  Queries,  is  refer- 
red  to,  it  is  thought  neceffary  to  reprint  it. 


fo  the  Printer  of  the  INDEPENDENT  GAZETTEER. 


SIR, 

TT  is  much  to  the  honour  of  America,  that,  in  the  prefent  revolution, 
A  there  have  not  been  many  inftances  of  defection  among  officers  of 
rank  in  the  continental  army.  In  Oliver  Cromwell's  time,  we  frequently 
fee  a  general  fighting  one  day  for  the  king,  another  for  the  parliament ; 
fo  unftable  and  wavering  were  the  opinion  of  thefe  republicans. 

The  corruption  of  the  times  is  now  become  a  univerfal  complaint,  and 
one  would  be  almoft  tempted  to  believe,  that  the  former  days  were  better 
than  thefe  ;  that  our  fore-fathers  were  poflefled  of  greater  moral  rectitude 
than  the  prefent  generation,  did  not  hiftory  and  experience  convince  us 
of  the  contrary.  There  is,  however,  one  great  evil  peculiar  to  this  age, 
that  of  affuming  the  credit  of  being  endowed  with  virtues,  to  which  we 
are  perfect  Grangers.  Cunning,  addrefs  and  eloquence  have  often  mifled 
the  honeft  but  too  credulous  multitude ;  and  they  have  been  taught  to 
confider  many  a  man  as  a  patriot  and  a  hero,  whofe  real  character  was 
marked  with  nothing  but  deceit  and  treachery  to  his  country.  It  is  alfo 
amazing  that  fuch  men  mould  meet  with  the  higheft  fuccefs,  and  bear 
their  blufhing  honours  thick  upon  them  j  whilft  modeft  merit  and  true 
patriotifm,  could  neither  gain  the  fuffrages  of  the  people,  nor  the  appro 
bation  of  thofe  who  held  the  reins  of  government. 

The  reflections  I  am  now  making,  have,  in  a  flriking  manner,  been 
verified  in  this  (late.  I  mould  be  extremely  forry  to  accufe  without  a  juft 
foundation,  or  to  adduce  a  charge,  were  I  not  convinced  that  it  is  of  the 
utmoft  importance  that  the  public,  the  people  at  large,  mould  be  enabled 
to  form  a  right  opinion  of  fuch  men,  who  have  been  honoured  or  may  be 
honoured,  with  their  iuffrages,  and  thereby  exalted  to  places  of  the  higheft 
truft  and  confidence 

Imprefled  with  this  idea,  and  with  a  defign  to  elucidate  fuch  characters, 
I  fhall  take  the  liberty  to  propofe  to  the  public,  the  following  queries : 

I.    Was 


1.  Was  not  general  R — d,  in  December  1776,  (then  A 1  G 1 

of  the  continental  army)  fent  by  general  Wafhington  to  the  commanding 
officer  at  Briftol,  with  orders  relative  to  a  general  attack,  intended  to  be 
made  on  the  enemy's  poft  at  Trenton,  and  thofe  below,  on  the  25th  at 
night. 

2.  Two  or  three   days   before   the   intended   attack,  Did   not  general 
R — d  fay,  in  converfation  with  the  faid  commanding  officer,  at  his  quar 
ters,  that  our  affairs  looked  very  defperate,  and  that  we  were  only  making 
a  facrifice  of  ourfelves  ? 

3.  Did  he  not  alfo  fay,  that  the  time  of  general  Howe's  proclamation, 
offering  pardon  and  protection  to  perfons  who  mould  come  in  before  the 
I  ft  of  January  1777,  was  nearly  expired;  and  that  Galloway,  the  Aliens, 
and  others,  had  gone  over  and  availed  themfelves  of  the  pardon  and  pro- 
teftion  offered  by  the  faid  proclamation  ? 

4.  Did  not  he,    general  R d,  at  the  fame  time  fay,    that  he  had  a 

family  and  ought  to  take  care  of  them  ;  and  that  he  did  not  underftand 
following  the  wretched  remains  of  a  broken  army  ? 

5.  Did  he  not   likewife   fay  to  the   faid    commanding  officer,   that  his 
brother  (then  a  colonel  or  lieutenant  colonel  of  militia)  was  at  Burlington, 
with  his  family,  and  that  he  had  advifed  him  to  remain  there,  and  if  the 
enemy  took  poffeffion  of  the  town,  to  take  a  protedlion  and  fwear  allegiance? 

It  is  well  for  America  that  very  few  general  officers  have  reafoned  in 
this  manner ;  if  they  had,  general  Howe  would  have  made  an  eafy  con- 
queft  of  the  United  States.  And  it  is  very  obvious,  that  officers  of  high 
rank  with  fuch  fentiments,  can  have  no  juft  pretenfions  to  patriotifm,  or 
public  virtue ;  and  can  by  no  means  be  worthy  of  any  poft  of  honour  or 
place  of  truft,  where  the  liberties  and  intereft  of  the  people  are  imme 
diately  concerned. 

BRUTUS. 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  3,  1782. 


T     O 

GENERAL   JOSEPH   REED. 


TN  the  firft  part  of  your  late  publication,  which  is  no  lefs  an  invective 
-*•  againft  me,  than  it  is  a  defence  of  yourfelf;  you  have,  with  fufficient  art, 
infifted  on  my  remarkably  contentious,  factious,*  and  jealous  fpirit,  which 
fuffers  no  man  undifturbed  to  enjoy  his  well  earned  fame,  a  circumftance 
in  my  character  you  expected  to  derive  confiderable  benefit  from  in  the 
controverfy  between  us.  For,  this  point  being  once  gained,  every  fuggef- 
tion,  every  article  of  charge  againft  you,  which  has  its  foundation  and 
fupport  in  me,  would  naturally  be  referred  to  thofe  fierce  and  malignant 
paffions  you  have  fo  unfparingly  beftowed  on  me ;  and  no  longer  reft  upon 
the  general  credit  and  reputation,  I  truft,  I  have  acquired  and  maintained. 
But  as  I  cannot,  without  injuftice  to  myfelf,  make  this  conceffion  to  you, 
I  muft  declare  my  general  tenor  of  conduct  to  have  been  far  otherwife, — 
that  in  my  private  life,  I  have  been  at  peace  and  harmony  with  all  man 
kind;  and  in  my  public,  at  enmity  only  with  fuch  public  men  as  have 
dHgraced  their  country  by  their  vices,  or  injured  it  by  their  crimes. 

Wherein,  until  the  prefent,  except  in  a  fmgle  inftance,  have  I  drawn  the 
public  attention  by  attacks  upon  the  character  of  any  man,  and  that  in" 
ftance,  of  an  impoftor  like  yourfelf,  who  had  got  into  a  feat  of  honour. 
In  this,  it  was  virtue  to  become  his  accufer. 

If  you  rely  upon  ycitr  inftance,  as  affording  a  proof  of  my  eagernefs  for 
controverfy,  it  will  not  anfwer  your  purpofe.  I  have  not  brought  you  to 
the  public  bar,  for  whatever  was  the  amount  of  your  offences,  I  neither 
urged  nor  wifhed  a  public  inquiry  ;  another  has  brought  you  there,  and  I 
appear  only  as  a  witnefs  againft  you,  challenged  and  defied  by  yourfelf. 

This  being  premifed,  I  mall  enter  upon  my  fubject,  and  reply  to  fuch 
parts  of  your  pamphlet  as  refpedt  me,  and  therefore  fpecially  concern  me 
to  notice. 

Your 

*  Here  the  following  anecdote  will  afford  an  occafion  of  recriminating — When  Mr. 
Reed  was  propofed  as  a  Brigadier  in  the  army,  Mr.  John  Adams,  now  our  minifter  in 
Holland,  openly  obje&ed  in  Congrefs  to  his  appointment,  faying,  he  was  of  a  factious 
fpirit,  and  had  been  notorioufly  instrumental  in  fomenting  difcords  between  the  troops  of 
the  different  ftates. 


Your  remarks,  you  fay,  are,  with  propriety,  addrefled  to  me,  becaufe, 
though  not  the  aftual  author,  it  is  to  me  you  are  really  indebted  for  the 
infidious  attempt  on  your  reputation. 

That  the  public  may  have  the  moft  authentic  proofs  of  the  manner  in 
which  I  have  been  involved  in  this  controverfy,  I  think  it  neceflary  here 
to  infert  the  original  letters,  that  pafled  in  thecourfe  of  our  correfpondence 
laft  fall  on  this  fubjeft. 

SIR, 

I  H  A  V  E  for  a  long  time  treated  the  anonimous  abufe  which  difgraces 
our  public  papers  with  the  contempt  it  deferves.  But  in  Ofwald's  paper 
of  lall  Saturday,  are  a  fet  of  queries  figned  Brutus,  in  which  the  author 
not  daring  to  make  an  open  aflertion,  has  infihuatcd  that  in  1776,  I  med 
itated  a  defertion  to  the  enemy.  Though  my  foul  rifes  with  indignation 
at  the  infamous  flander,  I  mould  treat  it  with  fcorn  if  it  did  not  feem  to 
deferve  fome  credit  from  a  reference  to  you.  Prejudiced  as  I  know  you 
are,  I  mould  be  forry  to  fuppofe  you  capable  of  propagating  fuch  a  fenti- 
ment,  or  decline  the  opportunity  of  doing  juftice  to  my  character,  and  in 
fome  degree  your  own.  And  this  for  two  reaibns,  firft,  thegrofs  falfehood 
of  the  infmuation,  and,  fecondly,  to  preferve  a  confiftency  in  your  own 
character,  which  murt  fuffer  from  your  placing  fuch  confidence  in  me 
with  refpeft  to  the  military  operations  of  that  period,  and  permitting 
General  Washington  to  do  the  fame  after  fuch  a  converfation  as  thefe 
queries  fuppofe.  I  need  make  no  apology  in  this  cafe  for  requefting  an 
immediate  anfwer. — And  am,  Sir, 

Tour  Obedient  Humble  Servant \ 

JOS*  REED. 

Market-ftreet,  Sept.  9,  1782. 
Gen.  Cadwalader. 

SIR, 

I  N  anfwer  to  your  letter  which  I  received  laft  evening  by  Mr.  Ingerfol, 
relating  to  queries  publiihed  in  Mr.  Ofwald's  paper  of  laft  Saturday, 
figned  Brutus,  I  can  afllire  you  (as  I  did  Mr.  Ingerfol )  that  I  am  not  the 
author  of  that  publication,  nor  have  I  publfhed  one  fingle  word  fince  I 
came  from  Maryland  relating  to  the  politics  of  this  ftate  j  yet  my  char- 
after  has,  unprovoked  been  traduced  by  you,  or  fome  of  your  friends. — 
But,  Sir,  I  have  repeatedly  mentioned  the  fubftance  of  thofe  queries  to 
individuals  immediately  after  the  converfation  alluded  to  happened  ;  and, 
fince  that  time,  in  many  mixed  companies.  As  charges  of  the  fame  na 
ture  had  fome  time  fince  been  made  againft  you,  to  which  you  never  made 
a  reply,  the  world,  very  juftly  concluded  they  were  true,  efpecially  as  the 
rank  and  character  of  the  perfon  who  made  the  charge  (at  that  time) 
merited  your  notice.  From  this  circumftance  it  occafioned  an  additional 
furprize  that  you  fhould  in  this  inftance  undertake  to  inveftigate  the  mat 
ter, 


(       13       ) 

ter,  and  declare  in  your  letter  to  me,  that  the  "  infinuation"  was  "  agrofs 
falfehood,"  I  therefore  now  aflert,  that  in  a  converfation  with  you  at  the 
time  and  place  mentioned  in  the  above  publication,  figned  Brutus,  that  you 
exprefled  the  fubllance,  and,  I  think,  the  very  words  contained  in  the 
queries.  If  my  character  for  veracity  wanted  credit  with  the  world,  one 
or  two  other  gentlemen  could  be  named,  who  at  nearly  the  fame  time, 
heard  expreffions  from  you  which  created  in  them  fentiments  unfavourable 
to  your  character.  You  feem  to  infmuate  that  there  is  an  inconfiftency  in 
my  conduft,  becaufe  I  afterwards  repofed  a  confidence  in  you,  and  bc- 
caufe  I  permitted  General  Wamington  to  do  the  fame.  It  would  have 
been  very  dangerous,  at  that  critical  period,  to  have  expofed  your  weak- 
nef  and  timidity  to  the  militia,  as  fuch  an  example  might  have  been  at 
tended  with  the  mofl  fatal  confequences  to  our  caufe.  And  as  your  con 
duct  upon  this  occalion  appeared  to  me  to  proceed  from  want  of  fortitude, 
and  not  the  bafer  motives ; — and  as  from  the  obfervations  I  made  to  you 
at  the  time,  you  feemed  to  refume  more  fpirited  fentiments  in  converfa 
tion,  as  well  as  from  political  motives,  I  continued  to  (hew  an  appearance 
of  confidence,  and  concluded  it  beft  not  to  mention  it  to  the  General. 
The  fuccefTes  that  foon  followed,  gave  a  happy  turn  to  affairs ;  and  thus 
you  (with  many  others)  appeared  to  pofTefs  firmnefs  in  profperity,  who 
had  (hewn  a  want  of  it  in  times  of  imminent  danger. 

If  your  conduct  in  civil  life  had  been  fuch  as  could  have  been  approved 
of,  former  tranfaftions  might  have  been  buried  in  oblivion.  But  when  I 
fee  a  man  endeavouring  to  injure  the  reputation  of  thofe  whofe  principles 
and  conduct,  from  the  beginning  of  the  conteft,  have  been  uniformly  ex 
erted  to  obtain  thofe  ends  intended  by  the  revolution  ;  and  when  he  denies 
all  merit  to  thofe  who  are  not  equally  violent  with  himfelf,  it  is  difficult 
to  be  filent. 

/  am,  Sir, 

Tour  Obedient  Servant, 

JOHN  CADWALADER. 

Philadelphia,  loth  Sept.  1782. 
Gen.  Reed. 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  10,  1782. 
SIR, 

AFTER  waiting  fome  time,  and  being  juft  about  to  fet  ofF  for  Buck's, 
I  received  your  letter  of  this  morning,  and  am  at  a  lofs  which  to  admire 
moft,  the  depravity  of  your  heart,  or  the  weaknefs  of  your  underftanding. 
Your  quoting  General  Arnold's  teftimony  to  vindicate  your  own  falfe 
hood,  is  perfectly  confident.  You  mall  hear  farther  from  me  on  my  re 
turn  from  Bucks.  In  the  mean  time  I  have  made  inquiry  of  Meffr.  T. 
Smith  and  Shippen,  whom  you  mentioned  to  Mr.  Ingerfol,  as  hearing 
from  you  fentiments  fimilar  to  thofe  in  the  queries,  with  a  view  of  com 
municating  them  to  me,  which  they  never  did,  becaufe  they  deny  the  leaft 

recollection 


(        H       ) 

recollection  of  any  fuch  information,  which  muft  have  been  too  ftriking  to 
them,  and  interefting  to  me,  to  have  parted  unnoticed.  Your  talent  for 
invention  is  alfo  difplayed  on  this  occafion,  moft  probably. 

Whatever  you  may  fuppofe,  feveral  of  my  friends  well  know,  that  I 
have  been  anxious  to  trace  fome  loofe  reports  that  I  had  heard,  which 
your  refidence  in  Maryland,  and  the  improbability  of  your  faying  fuch 
things  had  induced  me  to  neglecl. 

As  to  your  insinuation  of  my  writing  againft  you  in  the  news-papers, 
or  its  being  done  with  my  privity,  it  is  equally  groundlefs  with  all  the  reft. 
I  have  not  wrote  in  the  news-papers  for  a  long  time,  nor  at  any  time  in 
my  life  refpeding  you. 

/  am,  Sir, 

Tour  very  Humble  Servant, 
Gen.  Cadwalader.  JOS.  REED. 

To  General  REED. 
SIR 

I  SHALL  make  no  reply,  at  this  time,  to  the  expreffions  con 
tained  in  your  letter  of  the  loth  inrt.  but  as  you  inform  me  that  you  are 
on  the  point  of  fetting  off  for  Bucks,  I  do  not  think  it  incumbent  on  me 
to  remain  here  until  you  return,  efpecially  as  I  informed  Mr.  Ingerfol, 
that  I  intended  leaving  town  as  foon  as  the  duft  was  laid,  and  wifhed  you 
to  take  your  meafures  as  foon  as  poffible,  as  I  mould  make  my  arrange 
ments  accordingly.  Some  of  my  fervants  are  gone,  and  I  have  every 
thing  packed  up ;  it  will  therefore  be  very  inconvenient  to  detain  my 
family,  as  you  do  not  mention  when  you  purpofe  returning.  As  you  fay 
I  mail  hear  from  you  on  your  return  from  Bucks,  I  muft  inform  you  that 
the  poft  leaves  this  city  for  the  Eaftern  more  every  Wednefday,  at  three 
o'clock ;  be  pleafed  to  direct  to  me  in  Kent  county,  Maryland,  to  be  left 
at  Stewart's.  You  mall  have  my  anfwer  by  the  return  of  the  poft,  or,  if 
necefTary,  I  mall  attend  in  perfon,  for  further  inveftigation. 
/  am,  Sir, 

Tour  Obedient  Servant, 

JOHN  CADWALADER. 
Philadelphia,  i2/£  Sept.  1782. 

SIR, 

MR.  CLYMER  delivered  me  your  letter  of  the  I2th  inftant.  Your 
fudden  departure  from  this  city  was  indeed  unexpected — your  declaration 
to  Mr.  Ingerfol  not  implying  it  to  be  fo  very  foon,  *  and  I  mould  have 

fuppofed 

*  When  Mr.  Ingerfol  waited  on  me  with  General  Reed's  firft  letter  9th  September 
laft,  I  mentioned  to  him  the  fituation  of  my  family,  and  the  neceflity  of  my  leaving 
the  city. — This  has  been  candidly  related  by  Mr.  Ingerfol  to  Mr.  Reed,  as  appears  by 

the 


(       '5       ) 

fuppofed  that  my  letter  of  the  loth  would  had  fome  weight  to  protract 
your  journey.  Before  I  received  your's  of  the  loth,  I  had  prepared  a 
fmall  publication,  which  the  receipt  of  your  letter  did  not  influence  me  to 
alter  or  delay — as  no  fignature  could  change  the  nature  of  things  and 
make  falfehood  truth  or  truth  falfehood.  Having  there  declared  the  in- 
finuation  in  Ofwald's  paper  of  the  yth  inftant  to  be  falfe,  1  now  apply  the 
fame  epithet  to  your  avowal  of  them,  and  am  forry,  though  not  furprized, 
that  your  violence  of  temper  mould  have  occafloned  fuch  a  deviation  from 
the  line  of  veracity  fo  eflential  to  the  character  of  a  gentleman. 

I  am  already  poflefled  of  fundry  authentic  documents ;  a  few  days  will 
complete  them,  not  to  mew  my  innocence,  the  improbability  of  your 
charge,  and  inconfittency  of  your  own  conduct,  making  that  unneceflary, 
but  to  (hew  to  what  lengths  a  rancorous  heart,  puffed  up  by  fudden  and 
accidental  wealth,  can  pufh  a  man  of  weak  judgment  and  ungovernable 
paffions. 

I  need  not  give  you  my  addrefs,  though  I  think  it  incumbent  on  me  to 
affure  you,  that  if  by  inveftigation  you  mean  a  perfonal  interview,  I  will 
endeavour  to  make  it  as  convenient  as  poilible,  and  will  fliorten  the  dif- 
tance  between  us. 

/  am,  Sir, 

Tour  obedient  bumble  Servant, 

Philadelphia,  ^^d  Sept.  1782.  J  O  S.  R  E  E  D. 

Gen.  Cadwalader. 

Maryland,  30^  Sept.  1782. 
SIR, 

I  RECEIVED  yours  of  the  2jd  inft.  by  the  poft.  From  the 
ftile  of  your  firft  letter  (9th  Sept,)  in  which  you  required  an  "  immedi 
ate  anfwer,"  I  fully  expected  an  immediate  interview.  As  you  declined 

the 

the  following  extradl  from  his  letter,    in   anfwer  to  mine  of  the  yth  March,  on  this 
fubjecl. 

ExtraEl  from  Mr.  Ingcrfors  letter,  dated  Phila.  %tb  Marc  A,  1783. 

"THE  converfation  that  parted  I  reported  with  candor,  and  I  believe  with  preci- 
"  fion,  but  (till  fuppofed  that  the  reply  from  Gen.  Reed  would  be  founded  entirely 
*'  upon  your  anfwer. — Your  declaration  with  refpecl  to  your  intention  of  leaving  town, 
"  I  think  I  can  repeat  in  nearly  the  words  in  which  you  exprefled  yourfelf. 

"  After  difcourfmg  upon  the  fubjecl  of  the  letter  I  had  put  into  your  hands,  you 
"  mentioned  to  me  that  your  furniture  was  packed  up  to  go  to  Maryland,  that  you  had 
"  been  waiting  for  rain  to  lay  the  duft,  and  that  if  any  thing  was  to  come  of  this  bufi- 
"  nefs  it  muft  befpeedi/y. 

"  I  endeavour  to  give  the  words,  ufed— I  certainly  do  not  deviate  from  the  purport 
"  of  what  was  faid." 

This  is  not  the  leaft  of  the  many  mifreprefcntations  in  which  Mr.  Reed  is  convift- 
ed  in  the  courfe  of  my  reply. 

N 


(        16       ) 

the  interview  I  propofed  through  Mr.  Ingerfol,  and  left  town  the  next 
morning,  without  faying  when  you  purpofed  returning,  and  having  deter 
mined  not  to  "  alter  or  delay"  the  "  fmall  publication,"  which  you  "  had 
prepared  before  the  receipt  of  my  firft  letter,"  I  am  at  a  lofs  to  know 
what  could  have  occafioned  your  furprize  at  my  departure  before  your 
return  from  Bucks,  after  having  promifed  to  the  public  the  moft  fatif- 
factory  proofs,  that  no  fuch  converfation,  as  alluded  to  in  the  queries, 
ever  pafled,  it  was  reafonable  to  allow  you  fome  time  to  prepare  your 
"  authentic  documents." — Your  laft  letter  (23d  Sept.)  informs,  that  they 
were  not  then  compleated.  And  could  you  reafonably  expect,  that  I  mould 
have  remained  in  town  till  this  is  compleated  ?  or  could  you  fuppofe,  I 
would  fuffer  your  publication,  worked  up  as  it  no  doubt  will  be  with  all 
the  cunning  and  mifreprefentation  you  are  mafter  of,  to  pafs  unanfwered. 
As  you  have  protracted  this  affair  by  your  engagement  to  the  public,  I 
mail  not  put  it  in  the  power  of  accident  to  deprive  me  of  an  opportunity 
of  laying  the  facts  I  am  poflefled  of,  open  to  public  view.  The  queftion 
will  then  be,  whether  what  I  have  avowed  is  true  ?  My  wealth,  judg 
ment,  or  paflions  can  have  no  influence  either  way  with  impartial  men. 
My  own  character,  the  character  of  others  concerned,  and  all  the  circum- 
ftances  combined,  will  determine  the  judgment  of  the  public.  This  bufi- 
nefs  being  ended,  an  interview  may  reafonably  be  expected. 
/  am,  Sir, 

Tour  Humble  Servant, 

JOHN  CADWALADER. 
General  Reed,  Philadelphia. 

Having  for  feveral  years  given  over  every  expectation  of  feeing  thofe 
changes  made  in  the  conftitution  of  Pennfylvania,  which  I  have  ever 
thought  neceffary  to  fecure  that  happinefs  and  liberty  intended  by  the  re 
volution,  I  retired,  and  have  never  fince  even  exprefled  my  fentiments 
concerning  the  politics  of  this  ftate,  except  among  my  particular  friends. 

Your  vexatious  adminiftration  hath  furnimed  an  example  to  what  a 
dangerous  length  the  authority  of  government  may  be  carried  under  fuch 
a  conftitution. 

The  particular  circumftances  of  my  family  made  it  neceflary  to  fpend 
a  few  months  in  this  city  laft  fummer,  without  an  intention  of  taking  up 
my  refidence  here  till  the  conclufion  of  the  war ;  and  though  I  never  in 
terfered  in  politics  here,  except  among  my  particular  friends,  I  was  attacked 
in  the  public  papers  by  a  party  blindly  devoted  to  you  and  your  meafures  ; 
I  made  no  reply,  from  a  confidence  that  fuch  intimations  could  not  injure 
me  with  thofe  whofe  good  opinion  I  regarded.  But  whether  a  Friend 
publimed  the  piece,  figned  Brutus,  in  the  mere  fpirit  of  retaliation,  or 
whether  it  was  calculated  for  political  purpofes  at  the  laft  election,  let  the 
author  determine.  The  converfation  alluded  to  in  the  queries,  was  known 

to 


(    17    ) 

to  many  long  before  that  period ;  among  whom  were  fome  of  your  friends, 
in  proof  of  which,  I  offer  Mr.  Prior's  certificate.* 

Having  mentioned  the  converlation  publicly,  thofe  who  heard  it  were 
certainly  at  liberty  to  make  what  ufe  of  it  they  thought  proper. 

Being  intruded  with  the  command  of  the  militia,  and  a  New-England 
brigade,  which  lay  at  Briftol,  in  December  1776,  I  had  permiffion,  from 
the  commander  in  chief,  to  make  an  attack  on  the  enemy,  wherever  I 
thought  it  could  be  done  with  fuccefs ;  I  was  prepared,  on  the  evening  of 
the  zzd  December,  to  attempt  the  enemy's  poft  above  the  Black  Horfe, 
with  feven  hundred  men,  and,  about  nine  or  ten  o'clock,  P.  M.  I  re 
ceived  a  letter  from  the  General,  requefting,  if  the  enterprize  was  not 
too  far  advanced,  to  lay  it  afide,  as  he  intended  a  general  attack  on  the 
enemy's  ports  in  the  courfe  of  a  few  days.  From  this  circumftance  it 
appears  that  the  General  gave  me  the  information  relating  to  the  intended 
attack  the  evening  before  you  received  his  letter  of  the  23d  December, 
in  which  the  precife  time  was  fixed.  As  he  knew  my  intention  to 
command  the  party  myfelf,  and  therefore  I  might  not  be  at  Briftol  the 
next  day,  this  will  account  for  his  letter  of  the  23d  being  directed  to 
you.  But  here  you  mean  to  convey  an  idea  that  a  preference  in  this 
communication,  was  intended  to  you ;  though  he  had  given  me,  in  efFeft, 
the  fame  information  the  evening  before.  This,  too,  you  adduce  as  a 
proof  of  the  General's  "  unbounded  confidence  in  you  ;"  and  you  fay  you 
were  lent  by  General  Wafhington,  for  the  "  exprefs  purpofe  of  affifting 
me,"  and,  "  whatever  my  abilities  were,  that  I  had  lefs  experience  of 
"  actual  fervice  than  you  had  : — That  you  were  received  with  cool  civility 
"  and  few  marks  of  private  attention," — though  you  acknowledged, 
"  that  I,  at  the  fame  time,  confulted  you  without  referve  on  our  military 
"  affairs."  I  will  admit  that  your  opportunities  of  acquiring  experience, 
were  greater  than  mine,  and  confidering  the  extenfive  command  I  then 
had,  (which  was  in  number  nearly  equal  to  the  force  under  the  immediate 
command  of  General  Wafhington)  I  mould  have  thought  it  no  reflection 
on  my  abilities,  nor  would  it  have  hurt  my  feelings,  if  an  officer  of  fupe- 
rior  abilities  and  rank,  had  been  fent  to  take  the  command — or  even  an 
inferior  officer  to  aflift  me.  But  whether  your  appointment  was  of  the 
mere  motion  of  the  commander  in  chief,  or  at  your  inftance  (for  affifting 
me,  or  other  purpofes)  may,  at  leaft,  become  a  queftion. 

That 

*  Being  called  upon  by  Gen.  Cadwalader  to  recoiled  the  converfation  we  had  at  the 
Coffee  Houfe,  in  the  fall  of  the  year  feventy-eight,  when  he  related  what  had  parted 
between  him  and  Mr.  Reed,  at  Briftol,  I  remember  the  fubjedi  corroborates  with  thofe 
queries  I  have  fmce  feen  publifhed  in  Mr.  Ofwald's  paper  of  the  yth  September,  1782. 
I  likewife  remember  giving  him  a  hint  that  fome  of  Mr.  Reed's  friends  were  prefent, 
on  which  he  repeated  what  he  had  related  before,  and  then  addrefled  himfelf  to  the 
Gentlemen,  and  informed  them,  if  any  of  Mr.  Reed's  friends  were  prefent,  they  were 
at  liberty  to  make  what  ufe  they  pleafed  of  it. 

THOMAS    PRYOR. 

Philadelphia,  March  8,  1783. 


That  I  received  you  with  "  cool  civility  and  very  few  marks  of  private 
attention,"  I  do  not  remember  ;  but  to  give  what  you  mean  to  convey  its 
full  force,  I  will  not  hefitate  to  acknowledge  it  in  its  fulleft  extent — as  you 
have  granted  that  I  "  confulted  without  referve,  on  our  military  affairs. " 
In  this  inftance  the  world  will  do  me  juftice,  as  it  appears  that  I  did  not 
fuffer  perfonal  diflike  to  interfere  with  public  duty. 

Though  the  world  have  little  to  do  with  the  caufes  of  private  animofi- 
ties,  I  fhall  think  myfelf  perfectly  excufeable  here,  to  fay  a  few  words  on 
this  fubjecl,  as  you  have  afligned  caufes  for  the  interruption  of  our  inti 
macy  different  from  the  true  ones ;- — and  with  a  view  of  creating  preju 
dices  againft  me. 

I  acknowledge  that  fuch  intimacy  fubfifted  between  us  in  early  life,  and 
you  malignantly  date  its  "  diflblution"  at  the  time  of  my  fudden  acceffion 
of  fortune,  as  owing  thereto.—  If  I  were  to  admit  that  you  could  properly 
date  this  breach  from  the  moment  you  mention  j  I  flatter  myfelf  you  would 
find  it  very  difficult  to  perfuade  thofe  who  know  me  to  believe  that  to 
be  the  true  caufe. — But  this  was  not  really  the  fact.  The  unworthy  mea- 
fures  you  took  to  evade  the  payment  (till  compelled  by  a  judgment  of  the 
court)  of  Mr.  Porter's  order  on  you  in  favour  of  my  brother  and  myfelf, 
which  you  had  accepted,  (to  be  paid  out  of  a  bond  affigned  by  faid  Porter 
to  you  in  truft)  was  the  true  motive  of  that  diflblution  you  complain  of. 
If  you  turn  to  the  records  of  the  court,  or  review  the  correfpondence  with 
my  brother  on  that  fubjecl,  you  muft  blufh  at  fuch  a  fubterfuge. — From 
that  time,  and  owing  thereto,  I  avoided  your  company. — I  could  hefe 
make  the  proper  reflections  with  refpedl:  to  your  veracity  and  integrity  ; 
but  the  world  will  do  you  juftice. 

The  critical  fituation  of  our  affairs  in  the  winter  1776  is  well  known  to 
every  inhabitant  of  the  United  States  j — but  thofe,  only,  who  were  at  that 
time  in  the  field,  can  have  a  true  idea  of  the  cifcumftances  which  often 
threatened  the  diflblution  of  the  militia.  My  fituation  gave  me  better 
opportunities  of  knowing  the  feelings  and  temper  of  both  officers  and  pri 
vates  than  any  other  perfon ;  and  the  happy  expedients  ufed,  on  feveral 
occafions  to  prevent  their  going  home  in  a  body,  are  well  known  to  many 
officers  whom  I  then  had  the  honour  to  command. 

The  firft  information  we  had  of  the  capture  of  General  Lee,  was  re 
ceived  by  a  flag  which  arrived  at  my  quarters.  To  determine  whether 
this  was  a  misfortune  or  an  advantage  to  the  caufe  of  America,  is  at  this 
time  immaterial.-^-It  was  then,  however,  generally  thought  a  matter  of 
great  magnitude,  in  the  Britifh  as  well  as  in  the  American  camp.  The 
effe6l  it  had  on  our  army,  is  well  remembered  by  thofe  who  were  pre- 
fent,  but  particularly  on  the  militia. 

That  men  attached  to  a  caufe  upon  principle  mould  perfevere  in  a  prof- 
perous  fituation  of  affairs,  is  not  uncommon. — We  were,  at  that  time, 
feparated  from  our  enemies  only  by  a  river  which  we  expecled  every  day 
might  be  paflable  on  the  ice — greatly  inferior  in  number,  and  difcipline, 

and 


(       '9       ) 

and  almoft  deftitute  of  every  thing  neceffary  even  for  defence.  Add  to 
this  a  proclamation  of  General  Howe,  offering  pardon  and  protection  to 
thofe  who  (hould  fubmit,  and  fwear  allegiance  before  the  firft  of  January 
1777,  and  this  time  nearly  expired.  I  fay,  under  fuch  circumftances, 
it  would  be  wonderful  indeed  if  no  officer  of  the  army  funk  under  the 
apprehenfion  of  thofe  dangers  that  threatened  him.  That  there  were 
more  than  yourfelf  I  well  know,  whofe  expreffions  difcovered  a  timidity 
unworthy  an  officer  and  a  patriot;' — who,  notwithstanding,  from  the  well- 
timed  and  fpirited  remonftrances  from  their  friends,  were  induced  to  affume 
a  firmer  tone  of  behaviour,  and  have  fince  rendered  their  country  con- 
fiderable  fervices. 

Having  fully  ftated  the  temper  of  men's  minds  at  this  alarming  period, 
and  the  fituation  of  public  affairs  ;  I  mall  now  recite  the  converfation, 
and  circumftances,  relating  thereto,  which  I  have  avowed  in  my  letter  to 
you  of  the  loth  September,  as  having  paffed  between  us  at  Briftol. 

1  had  occafion  to  fpeak  with  you,  a  few  days  before  the  intended  at 
tack  on  the  26th  December,  1776,  and  requested  you  to  retire  with  me 
to  a  private  room  at  my  quarters — the  bufinefs  related  to  intelligence — a 
general  converfation,  however,  foon  took  place  concerning  the  ftate  of 
public  affairs,  and  after  running  over  a  number  of  topics ; — in  an  agony  of 
mind,  and  defpair  ftrongly  expreffed  in  your  countenance,  and  tone  of 
voice,  you  fpoke  your  apprehenlions  concerning  the  event  of  the  conteft ; 
that  our  affairs  looked  very  defperate  and  we  were  only  making  a  facri- 
fice  of  ourfelves  ; — that  the  time  of  General  Howe's  offering  pardon  and 
protection  to  perfons  who  mould  come  in  before  the  ift  January,  1777, 
was  nearly  expired  ;  and  that  Galloway,  the  Aliens,  and  others,  had  gone 
over  and  availed  themfelves  of  that  pardon  and  protection  offered  by  the 
faid  proclamation  ; — that  you  had  a  family  and  ought  to  take  care  of  them, 
and  that  you  did  not  understand  following  the  wretched  remains  (or  rem 
nants)  of  a  broken  army ;  that  your  brother,  (then  Colonel  or  Lieutenant 
Colonel  of  the  militia — but  you  fay  of  the  five  month's  men,  which  is  not 
material)  was  then  at  Burlington  with  his  family,  and  that  you  had  advifed 
him  to  remain  there,  and  if  the  enemy  took  pofleffion  of  the  town  to  take 
a  protection  and  fwear  allegiance,  and  in  fo  doing  he  would  be  perfectly 
juftifiable. 

This  was  the  fubftance,  and  I  think  nearly  the  very  words ;  but  that 
"  you  did  not  under  ft  and  following  the  wretched  remains  (or  remnants)  of 
a  broken  army"  I  perfectly  remember  to  be  the  very  words  you  ex- 
preffed. 

That  our  fituation  was  critical,  and  the  dangers  that  threatened  us  great, 
were  univerfally  acknowledged  ;  but  I  was  aftonifhed  to  hear  fuch  ex 
preffions  from  the  Adjutant  General  of  the  army,  as  your  conduct  had 
been  approved  by  report ; — for,  your  good  behaviour  was  not  perfonally 
known  to  me.  Judging  from  appearances,  and  from  all  circumftances  at 

the 


(  20          ) 

the  time,  I  imputed  thefe  fentiments  folely  to  timidity ;  and  therefore  to 
roufe  your  feelings,  and  give  new  vigour  to  a  mind  weakened  by  fear,  I 
recalled  to  your  memory  your  former  public  profeffions  and  conduct,  and 
endeavoured  to  paint,  in  the  ftrongeft  colours,  the  fatal  confequences  that 
would  enfue  from  fuch  an  example,  particularly  to  the  militia ;  that  if 
officers  (more  efpecially  one  in  your  ftation)  difcovered  a  want  of  firm- 
nefs,  we  could  not  reafonably  expeft  private  foldiers  to  remain  in  the  field  ; 
and  added  that  as  I  was  commanding  officer  there,  I  mould  not  pafs  over 
fuch  expreffions  in  future ; — appearing  to  be  invigorated  by  thefe  remon- 
ftrances,  your  fubfequent  converfation  induced  me  to  hope  from  you  a 
more  honorable  refolution.  The  immediate  turn  in  our  affairs  confirmed 
this  hope.  I  had,  beiides,  at  the  moment  a  ftill  ftronger  diffuafive.  I 
forefaw,  that  an  "  arreft,"  or  difcovery  on  my  part,  would  produce  all  the 
bad  effects  naturally  to  be  apprehended  from  aftual  defertion ;  I  mean 
with  refpect  to  the  difcouragement,  which  fuch  an  example  would  have 
caufed  in  the  army,  but  particularly  in  the  militia ;  and  efpecially  as,  at 
that  time  the  militia  were  aflembling  at  Philadelphia  under  General  Put 
nam,  from  every  part  of  the  country,  influenced  by  the  example  of  the 
city  troops,  as  well  as  by  a  fenfe  of  danger  and  duty.  If,  then,  the  city 
militia  had  difbanded,  no  perfon  can  hefitate  to  determine  what  would 
have  been  the  fate  of  thofe  from  the  country. 

The  reafons  of  my  concealing  it  from  the  general  were,  that  nothing 
but  an  arreft,  on  his  part,  could  have  prevented  the  execution  of  this  plan 
of  defertion,  and  the  bad  confequences  enfuing  from  it,  the  betraying  of 
fecrets ;  and  fuch  arreft  would  have  wrought  the  other  ill  confequences  I 
have  fpoken  of. — In  this  dilemma  I  ufed  a  difcretion  which  I  confidered 
moft  advantageous  to  my  country  j  and  trufted  to  my  hopes,  that  fo  im 
portant  an  event  as  your  defection  would  not  happen,  and  thus  avoided 
the  immediate  and  certain  EVIL.  And  befides,  I  have  in  every  ftage  of 
the  war  fhewn  a  difpofition  to  overlook  political  weaknefles,  conceiving 
that  every  man  we  could  retain  in  the  fervice  an  acquifition,  tending  to 
draw  forth  the  whole  ftrength  and  abilities  of  my  country  againft  the 
common  enemy. 

That  the  converfation  alluded  to  is  a  new  tale,  devifed  in  the  malig 
nancy  of  party,  has  been  aflerted  by  you ;  and  on  this  aflertion  is  founded 
many  of  your  ftrongeft  conclulions  in  favor  of  your  own  innocence.  But 
what  muft  the  world  think  of  your  effrontery  when  they  read  the  follow 
ing  letter  of  Col.  Alexander  Hamilton,  who  was  then  aid  de  camp  to  the 
commander  in  chief,  and  now  a  delegate  in  Congrefs,  whofe  conduct  and 
character  are  well  known,  and  approved  by  the  citizens  of  every  ftate  in 
the  union  ; — a  Gentleman  who,  being  a  refident  of  the  ftate  of  New  York, 
cannot  be  fuppofed  in  any  manner  concerned  in  the  politics  of  Pennfyl- 
vania. 


(          2,  ) 

Philadelphia,  i^th  March,  1783. 
DEAR  SIR, 

THOUGH  difagreeable  to  appear  in  any  manner  in  a  perfonal 
difpute ;  yet  I  cannot  in  juftice  to  you  refufe  to  comply  with  the  requeft 
contained  in  your  note.  I  have  delayed  anfweringit  to  endeavour  to  recoi 
led:  with  more  precifion,  the  time,  place,  and  circumftances  of  the  con- 
verfation  to  which  you  allude.  I  cannot,  however,  remember  with  cer 
tainty  more  than  this ;  that  fome  time  in  the  campaign  of  feventy  feven, 
at  head-quarters,  in  this  ftate,  you  mentioned  to  me  and  fome  other  Gen 
tlemen  of  General  Washington's  family,  in  a  confidential  way,  that  at 
fome  period  in  feventy-fix,  I  think  after  the  American  army  croiTed  the 
Delaware  in  its  retreat,  Mr.  Reed  had  fpoken  to  you  in  terms  of  great  de- 
fpondency  refpecting  the  American  affairs,  and  had  intimated,  that  he 
thought  it  time  for  gentlemen  to  take  care  of  themfelves,  and  that  it  was 
unwife  any  longer  to  follow  the  fortunes  of  a  ruined  caufe,  or  fomething 
of  a  fimilar  import.  It  runs  in  my  mind  that  the  expreffions  you  declared 
to  have  been  made  ufe  of,  by  Mr.  Reed,  were — that  he  thought  he  ought 
no  longer  to  "  rifque  his  life  and  fortune  with  the  mattered  remains  of  a 
broken  army,"  but  it  is  the  part  of  candour  to  obferve,  that  I  am  not  able 
to  diftinguifh  with  certainty,  whether  the  recollection  I  have  of  thefe  words 
arifes  from  the  ftrong  impreffion  made  by  your  declaration  at  the  time,  or 
from  having  heard  them  more  than  once  repeated  within  a  year  paft. 
/  am,  Dear  Sir,  with  great  efteem, 

Tour  obedient  /errant, 
To  General  Cadwalader.  A.  HAMILTON. 

At  the  time  I  communicated  the  contents  of  Colonel  Hamilton's  certifi 
cate  to  him  in  confidence,  it  appears  by  your  own  acknowledgment  that* 
"  no  party  or  prejudices  exifted  (at  lead  as  to  you")  ; — "j"  "  the  intercourfe 
"  arifmg  from  thefe  mingled  duties  and  fervices  which  were  continued 
"  until  the  army  went  into  winter  quarters  at  the  Valley-Forge,  foon 
"  did  away  the  coolnefs  which  had  for  fome  years  fubfifted,  and  in 
"  no  fmall  degree  revived  our  former  habits  of  friendmip ;" — J  u  but  it 
"  was  our  lot  to  meet  again  a  few  days  before  the  battle  of  Monmouth ; 
"  here  we  were  again  united  in  confidence  and  danger.  After  the  battle, 
"  we  left  the  army  together,  and  that  period  clofed  our  friendly  inter- 
"  courfe  forever." — From  thefe  (your  expreffions)  you  affect  to  believe, 
and  with  the  world  to  think,  that  our  former  friendmip  was  reftored.  It 
was  not  fo,  I  cannot  call  it  friendmip.  The  tranfaction  I  have  mentioned, 
occafioned  the  diflblution  of  that  intimacy  contracted  in  early  life,  which 
but  little  accorded  with  my  notions  of  perfect  integrity.  From  that  time, 
and  owing,  folely,  to  that  caufe,  I  took  the  refolution  to  avoid  your  com 
pany  as  a  private  gentleman,  and  which  I  conftantly  adhered  to.  Meet 
ing  in  the  army,  where  we  ferved  moll  of  the  time  in  the  character  of 

volunteers, 

*  See  Gen.  Reed's  addrefs  to  the  public,     f  Page  25.     J  Page  27. 


(  22          ) 

volunteers,  I  did  not  think  it  right  to  fuffer  former  diflikes  to  interrupt 
the  duties  and  fervices  required  of  us  by  the  Commander  in  Chief,  fo 
necefTary  for  mutual  and  general  fafety.  If,  then,  my  diflike  to  you  did 
not  proceed  from  fuch  motives  as  fometimes  induce  men  to  feek  for  op 
portunities  of  gratifying  their  refentments,  for  what  purpofe  could  I  have 
invented  fuch  a  "  tale  ?"  or  if  my  refentment  was  fuch  as  you  reprefent, 
why  did  I  not  gratify  it  by  making  it  public  immediately  ? — at  that  time  my 
mind  could  not  have  been  "  inflamed  by  party" — becaufe  you  admit  that 
no  parties  then  exifted  ("at  leaft  as  to  you");  nor  could  my  ambition 
have  been  difappointed, — becaufe,  being  commanding  officer  of  the  Penn- 
fylvania  militia,  the  Council  of  Safety  (who  then  held  the  powers  of 
government)  could  not  gratify  me  further.  I  could  not  have  "  miftaken  a 
converfation  with  fome  other  perfon,"  becaufe,  there  was  not  that  "  dif- 
tance  of  time"  which  you  fuppofe ; — nor  can  it  be  conceived,  by  the  moft 
credulous,  to  be  "  fome  jocular  expreffion,"  becaufe,  the  fituation  of  affairs 
rather  fupprefled  than  excited,  in  you,  the  appearance  of  mirth.  Having 
mentioned  this  converfation  long  before  parties  formed  here ;  it  muft  ap 
pear,  to  every  impartial  perfon,  that  it  could  not  have  been  the  mere  in 
vention  of  my  own  "  brain,"  fuggefted  in  the  fpirit  of  party  ; — and  it  is 
ftill  more  abfurd  to  fuppofe  that  I  could  have  forefeen  that  you,  who  then 
thought  as  I  did  concerning  the  eflential  objections  to  the  conftitution  of 
Pennfylvania,  mould  refufe  the  appointment  of  Chief  Juftice,  becaufe  you 
could  not  in  confcience  take  the  oath  of  office ; — that  Mr.  Wharton  (the 
firft  Prefident)  mould  die, — and  yet,  that  you  mould  afterwards  accept 
the  chair  of  government.  It  is,  however,  inconteftably  proved  that  the 
converfation,  alluded  to,  was  fpoken  of  by  me,  at  an  early  period,  and 
long  before  your  appointment  to  the  chair  of  government,  and  yet  you 
fay — "  the  profecution  of  General  Arnold,  I  have  no  doubt,  gave  rife  to 
it."  If  I  was  to  leave  it  to  your  ingenuity  to  explain  to  the  world  my 
motives  for  inventing  fuch  a  "  tale" — to  what  purpofes  could  you  poffibly 
impute  my  defign  ? — It  could  not  be  to  gratify  my  refentment  for  the  in 
jury  you  attempted  upon  my  property,  becaufe  I  did  not  then  make  it 
public  ; — it  could  not  be  occasioned  by  any  perfonal  offence  taken  in  the 
year  1777  (when  I  privately  mentioned  it  to  Col.  Hamilton),  becaufe, 
you  contend  that  our  "  former  habits  of  friendfhip"  were  revived,  and 
acknowledge  that  I  never  made  it  public  for  feveral  years  afterwards. — 
Here  then,  the  man  of  humanity  may  afk  me — why  did  you  at  fo  late  a 
date,  publicly,  mention  a  circumftance  injurious  to  General  Reed's  repu 
tation,  as  Adjutant  General  of  the  army,  and  a  patriot,  which  after-fervices 
ought  to  have  configned  to  oblivion  ? — The  queftion  is  a  natural  one,  and 
I  will  give  it  an  anfwer.  The  firft  occafion  of  my  mentioning  this  mat 
ter,  publicly,  was  this ;  fbon  after  our  return  to  the  city  in  the  year  1778, 
among  the  viftims  felecled  for  public  examples,  there  was  a  young  gentle 
man  with  whom  I  had  formed  an  intimacy  in  early  life.  I  confidered 
him,  as  he  was  by  many  (and  his  acquittal  juftified  the  opinion)  as  un- 

juftly 


(          23          ) 

juftly  perfecuted ;  but  General  Reed  who  had  refumed  his  original  pro- 
feflion  voluntarily  aided  the  profecution,  and  with  all  the  force  of  decla 
mation  laboured  to  inflame  his  judges  and  jury  againft  him.  It  was  then, 
recollecting  how  near  he  once  appeared  to  the  commiffion  of  the  fame 
offence  which  he  charged  upon  the  other,  or  at  leaft  to  a  defection  from 
the  caufe,  that  my  indignation  broke  out  at  the  trial ;  faying  to  thofe  around 
me,  that  "  //  argued  the  extremity  of  effrontery  and  bafenefs  in  one  man  to 
"  purfue  another  to  death  for  taking  a  ftep,  which  his  own  foot  had  been  once 
"  raifed  to  take" — *This  was  anterior  to  his  elevation  to  the  Prefidency, 
and  whilft  his  powers  of  doing  mifchief,  were  he  fo  inclined,  were  cir- 
cumfcribed  by  the  narrownefs  of  his  fphere  of  action — at  fuch  a  time, 
could  I  think  his  lofs  of  fame  fo  efTential  to  the  public  good,  or,  if  he  will, 
to  the  purpofes  of  party,  as  to  be  willing  to  attempt  it,  at  the  expence  of 
my  private  veracity,  my  honour,  and  confcience. 

The  inconfiftency  of  fuch  oftenfiblc  conduct,  and  the  bafenefs  of  a 
meditated  defection,  is  not  irreconcilable  to  thofe  who  have  had  opportu 
nities  of  knowing  that  he  is  not  incapable  of  fuch  vaft  extremes — who  have 
feen  him  at  the  bar  of  the  Aflembly,  he  himfelf  diiqualified,  by  non  com 
pliance  with  the  teft-laws,  as  fmce  fully  appears  by  a  late  publication 
figned  Sidney,  unblufhingly  attempt  to  fet  afide  the  famous  Chefter  elec 
tion,  upon  the  fuggeftion  of  its  having  been  carried  by  electors  difqualified 
from  the  like  circumftance. 

It  is  thus  I  would  have  anfwered  the  queftion,  why  I  have  mentioned, 
publicly,  your  meditated  defection,  and  I  truft  that  fuch  provocation 
merited  thofe  reflections,  which  might  otherwife  have  remained  in  my 
own  breaft. 

The  objection  to  the  force  of  my  fingle  teflimony  thus  obviated,  did  no 
other  offer  to  corroborate  it,  I  mould  not  hefitate  to  fubmit  it,  under  fuch 
circumftances,  to  the  judgment  of  the  public ;  refting  their  determination 
upon  the  credit  of  my  veracity  againft  yours.  Having  fupported  an  un- 
blemifhed  character,  I  dare  defy  any  perfon  to  produce  an  inftance  where 
I  have  even  been  fufpected  of  an  untruth,  or  of  a  bafe  or  difhonourable 

action. 

*  As  a  proof  of  my  having  made  this  declaration,  and  the  occafion  of  it,  I  offer  the 
following  letter. 

DEAR  SIR, 

I  HAVE  at  your  requeft  charged  my  recollection  with  what  fell  from  you  in  the 
hearing  of  myfelf  and  feveral  others  at  the  trial  of  Mr.  William  Hamilton,  on  the  fub- 
jecl  of  Mr.  Reed,  who  aflifted  the  profecution  j  it  was  in  terms  to  this  effect, — that  it 
indicated  the  extremity  of  bafenefs  in  him  to  attempt  to  deftroy  another  for  taking  the 
very  ftep  he  had  once  lifted  his  own  foot  to  take. — This  at  the  inftant  made  the 
deeper  imprefiion  on  me,  as  having  never  till  then,  though  living  in  the  clofeft  inti 
macy,  heard  you  drop  the  moft  diftant  hint  of  any  intended  defection  of  Mr.  Reed,  of 
which  I  myfelf  had  no  fufpicion. 

Your  humble  Servant, 

March  2,  1783.  GEORGE  CLYMER. 

General  Cadivalader. 

o 


aftion.  Confcious  of  the  truth  of  what  I  have  aflerted,  I  have  no  fears 
that  my  conduct  will  ever  "  difhonour  me  with  the  wife  and  virtuous." 

The  reafons  I  have  affigned  for  the  diffolution  of  our  intimacy,  ante 
cedent  to  the  war,  will  afford  a  better  proof  of  your  ingenuity  than  your 
integrity  ;  and  further,  (with  refpeft  to  your  veracity)  if  any  other  in- 
ftance  is  neceflary,  let  me  add  one  which  happened  at  camp  (at  head 
quarters)  in  the  year  1777,  foon  after  the  battle  of  Germantown,  when, 
in  my  hearing,  and  in  the  prefence  of  three  officers  of  the  firft  rank  in  the 
army,  you  were  charged  to  your  face  with  a  falfehood,  and  which  was 
fully  proved  the  next  day  by  the  general  officer  who  made  the  charge. 

And,  now,  before  I  introduce  the  concurrent  teftimony  in  fupport  of 
my  aflertion,  I  mall  take  but  a  momentary  notice  here,  of  thofe  difrefpecl- 
ful  expreffions  with  which  you  have  decorated  your  pamphlet.  Weaknefs 
of  head  is  an  accufation  of  a  kind  which  it  would  equally  puzzle  the  fool 
and  the  wife  to  reply  to ;  but  againft  that  of  badnefs  of  heart  my  known 
tenor  of  conduct,  in  private  and  public  life,  muft  be  my  defence  ;  if  that 
fails,  it  will  be  needlefs  in  me  to  fet  up  any  other. 

But  if  even  prejudiced  men  mould  ftill  doubt  the  truth  of  my  aflertion, 
with  refpeft  to  the  converfation  alluded  to  in  the  above  reprefentation, 
every  doubt  muft  be  removed  upon  reading  the  following  certificates. 

Hermitage,  yb  Qfto,  1782. 
DEAR  GENERAL, 

IN  the  winter  1776,  after  we  had  crofled  the  Delaware,  General 
Reed,  in  converfation  with  me,  faid,  that  he  and  feveral  others  of  my 
friends  were  furprized  at  feeing  me  there.  I  told  him  I  did  not  under- 
ftand  fuch  a  converfation,  that  as  I  had  engaged  in  the  caufe  from  princi 
ple,  I  was  determined  to  fhare  the  fate  of  my  country;  to  which  he  made 
no  reply,  and  the  converfation  ended.  As  I  had  the  honour  of  com 
manding  the  militia  of  New  Jerfey,  both  duty  and  inclination  led  me  to 
ufe  every  exertion  in  fupport  of  a  caufe  I  had  engaged  in  from  the  pureft 
motives.  I  was  really  much  furprized  at  General  Reed's  manner,  con- 
fidering  the  ftation  he  then  aded  in,  and  his  reputation  as  a  patriot ;  but 
I  confidered  it  as  the  effect  of  defpondency  from  the  then  gloomy  pro- 
fpeft  of  our  affairs. 

This  I  mentioned  to  feveral  of  my  friends  at  the  time,  who  all  viewed 
it  in  the  fame  point  of  light. 

/  amy  dear  General,  yours, 

P.  DICKINSON. 
General  Cadwalader. 

I  DO  hereby  certify,  that  in  December,  1776,  while  the  militia  lay  at 
Briftol,  General  Reed,  to  the  beft  of  my  recollection  and  belief,  upon  my 
enquiring  the  news,  and  what  he  tho't  of  our  affairs  in  general,  faid,  that 
appearances  were  very  gloomy  and  unfavourable  ; — that  he  was  fearful,  or 

apprehenfive, 


(       25       ) 

apprehenfive,  the  bufinefs  was  nearly  fettled ;  or,  the  game  almoft  up,  or 
words  to  the  fame  effect.  That  thefc  fentiments  appeared  to  me  very  ex 
traordinary  and  dangerous,  as  I  conceived,  they  would,  at  that  time,  have 
a  very  bad  tendency,  if  publicly  known  to  be  the  fentiments  of  General 
Reed,  who  then  held  an  appointment  in  the  army  of  the  firft  confe- 
quence. 

JOHN  NIXON. 
Philadelphia,  March  12,  1783. 

A  FEW  days  before  the  battle  of  Trenton,  on  the  2 6th  of  December 
1776,  I  rode  with  Mr.  Reed  from  Briftol  to  Head-Quarters  near  New- 
Town. — In  the  courfe  of  our  ride  our  converfation  turned  upon  public 
affairs,  when  Mr.  Reed  expreffed  himfelf  in  the  manner  following. 

He  fpoke  with  great  refpect  of  the  bravery  of  the  Britim  troops,  and 
with  great  contempt  of  the  cowardice  of  the  American,  and  more  efpc- 
cially  of  the  New-England  troops.  So  great  was  the  terror  infpired  by 
the  Britim  foldiers  into  the  minds  of  our  men  that  he  faid  when  a  Britim 
foldier  was  brought  as  a  prifoner  to  our  camp,  our  foldiers  viewed  him  at 
a  diflance  as  a  fuperior  kind  of  being. 

Upon  my  lamenting  to  him  the  fuppofed  defection  of  Mr.  Dickinfon, 
who  it  was  unjuftly  faid  had  deferted  his  country,  he  ufed  the  following 
words :  "  Damn  him — I  wifh  the  Devil  had  him  when  he  wrote  the 
farmer's  letters.  He  has  began  an  oppofition  to  Great-Britain  which  we 
have  not  ftrength  to  finim." 

Upon  my  lamenting  that  a  gentleman  of  his  acqaintance  had  fubmitted 
to  the  enemy,  he  faid,  "  that  he  had  acted  properly,  and  that  a  man  who 
had  a  family  did  right  to  take  that  care  of  them." 

The  whole  of  his  converfation  upon  the  fubjedt  of  our  affairs  indicated 
a  great  defpair  of  the  American  caufe. 

Upon  my  going  to  Baltimore  to  take  my  feat  in  Congrefs,  the  latter 
end  of  January,  I  mentioned  the  above  converfation  to  my  brother.  I 
likewife  mentioned  it  to  the  hon.  John  Adams,  Efq.  with  whom  I  then 
lived  in  intimacy,  a  day  or  two  after  his  return  from  Bofton  to  Congrefs. 
I  did  not  mention  it  with  a  view  of  injuring  Mr.  Reed,  for  I  flill  refpect- 
ed  him,  efpecially  as  I  then  believed  that  the  victory  at  Trenton  had  re- 
ftored  the  tone  of  his  mind,  and  diffipated  his  fears,  but  to  mew  Mr. 
Adams  an  inftance  of  a  man  poflefling  and  exercifmg  a  military  fpirit  and 
activity  and  yet  deficient  in  political  fortitude.  To  which  I  well  remem 
ber  Mr.  Adams  replied  in  the  following  words,  "  The  powers  of  the 
human  mind  are  combined  together  in  an  infinite  variety  of  ways." 

BENJAMIN  RUSH. 

Philadelphia,  March  3,  1783. 

I  went  with  the  Congrefs  to  Baltimore  in  Dec.  1776. — On  the  arrival 
of  my  brother  there  a  few  weeks  afterwards,  I  called  to  fee  him,  at  the 
houfe  of  a  Mrs.  Orrick  where  he  then  lodged.  To  the  beft  of  my  recol- 

le£lion 


le&ion  Mr.  Clerk  and  Dr.  Witherfpoon,  delegates  from  New-Jerfey,  were 
in  the  room  with  him.  The  two  former  after  fome  time  withdrew  and 
my  brother  then  mentioned  the  converfation  as  related  by  him  above. 
He  informed  me  alfo  of  fome  other  converfation  which  paffed  between 
Mr.  Reed  and  him  which  it  is  not  neceffary  at  prefent  to  repeat. 

JACOB  RUSH. 
Philadelphia,  March  3,  1783. 

JOSEPH  ELLIS,  a  colonel  of  a  regiment  of  militia  in  the  county  of 
Gloucefter  and  ftate  of  New  Jerfey,  doth  hereby  certify,  that,  upon  the 
retreat  of  a  body  of  militia  from  before  count  Donop  in  the  neighbour 
hood  of  Mount  Holly,  in  Burlington  county,  in  the  month  of  December 
1776,  he  met  with  Charles  Pettit,  Efq.  then  Secretary  of  the  faid  Jiate  — 
that  a  converfation  enfued  between  them,  refpefting  the  fituation  of  the 
public  difpute  at  that  period  —  that  Mr.  Pettit  in  faid  converfation  repre- 
fenting  that  our  affairs  were  defperate,  Col.  Ellis  endeavoured  to  diffuade 
him  from  fuch  an  opinion  —  when  Mr.  Pettit  replyed  —  "  what  hurts  me 
more  than  all  is  my  brother  in  law,  General  Reed,  has  (or  I  believe  he 
has)  given  up  the  conteft."  That  a  good  deal  more  pafled  between  Mr. 
Pettit  and  Col.  Ellis  during  the  faid  converfation,  but  omitted  here  as 
being  thought  unneceffary.  JOS.  ELLIS. 

y  March  9,  1783. 


I  do  hereby  certify  that  I  was  prefent  at  the  converfation  alluded  to 
above,  that  although  I  cannot  recolleft  the  exprefs  words  made  ufe  of  in 
the  faid  converfation,  yet  fuch  converfation  did  take  place,  and  that  the 
fubflance  of  it  anfwers  to  the  certificate  of  Col.  Ellis, 

FRANKLIN  DAVENPORT. 

Woodbury,  March  9,  1783. 

Thefe  are  to  certify,  that  in  December  1776  and  January  1777  I  the 
fubfcriber  was  Major  of  the  fecond  battalion  of  Philadelphia  militia, 
whereof  John  Bayard  was  Colonel,  and  then  lay  at  Briftol,  and  part  of 
the  time  oppofite  Trenton  on  the  Pennfylvania  fide.  —  That  while  we  lay 
at  Briftol,  Jofeph  Reed,  Efq.  joined  us,  that  during  his  being  there  and 
near  Trenton  he  often  went  out  for  intelligence,  as  Col.  Bayard  told  me, 
over  to  Burlington,  in  which  place  the  enemy  frequently  were,  that  being 
abfent  frequently  all  day  and  all  night,  I  as  frequently  enquired  what  could 
become  of  Gen.  Reed.  Col.  Bayard  often  anfwered  me,  he  feared,  he 
had  left  us  and  gone  over  to  the  enemy.  One  time  in  particular,  being 
ablent  two  days  and  two  nights,  if  not  three  nights,  Col.  Bayard  came  to 
me  with  great  concern,  and  faid,  he  was  fully  perfuaded  Gen.  Reed  was 
gone  to  join  the  enemy  and  make  his  peace.  I  afked  how  he  could  pof- 
fibly  think  fo  of  a  man  who  had  taken  fo  early  a  part  and  had  afted 
fteadily.  He  replyed,  he  was  perfuaded  it  was  Ib,  for  he  knew  the  Gen 
eral  thought  it  was  all  over  and  that  we  could  not  ftand  againft  the  enemy, 

and 


(  27  ) 

and  at  the  fame  time  wept  much.  I  endeavoured  all  I  could  to  drive 
fuch  notions  from  him,  but  he  was  fo  fully  perfuaded  that  he  had  left  us 
and  gone  over  to  the  enemy,  that  arguing  about  the  matter  was  only  lofs 
of  time — Col.  Bayard  often  making  mention,  that  he  knew  his  fentiments 
much  better  than  I  did.  After  being  abfent  two  or  three  nights  Gen.  Reed 
returned  and  I  never  faw  more  joy  exprefled  than  was  by  Col.  Bayard  ;  he 
declaring  to  me  he  was  glad  Gen.  Reed  was  returned,  for  he  was  fully 
convinced,  in  his  own  mind,  that  he  was  gone  over  to  the  enemy. 

WM.  BRADFORD. 
Manner  of '  Mor eland,  Philadelphia 
County,  March  15,  1783. 

Philadelphia,  ^th  March,  1783. 

HAVING  been  called  on  by  General  Cadwalader  refpefting  a  report 
which  has  been  propagated  refpecling  Mr.  Jofeph  Reed — I  declare  on  my 
honour  the  circumftances  are  as  follows. 

In  the  fpring  of  1780  I  obtained  permiffion  for  an  interview  with  my 
brother  at  Elizabeth  Town.  In  the  courfe  of  converfation  one  day,  he 
happened  to  mention,  that  there  were  men  among  us  who  held  the  firft 
offices,  who  applied  for  protection  from  the  Britifh  while  they  lay  in  New 
Jerfey.  I  was  alarmed  at  this  aiTertion  and  infilled  on  knowing  who  they 
were; — he  faid  that  when  the  Britilh  army  lay  in  Jerfey  in  1776,  Count 
Donop  commanded  at  Bordenton,  that  he  was  often  at  that  officer's 
quarters,  and  poffefled  feme  degree  of  his  confidence ;  that  one  day,  an 
inhabitant  came  into  their  lines  with  an  application  from  Mr.  Jofeph  Reed 
the  purport  of  which  was  to  know,  whether  he  could  have  protection  for 
himfelf  and  his  property  (there  was  another  perfon  included  in  the  applica 
tion  whofe  name  it  is  not  neceflary  here  to  mention).— The  man  was  im 
mediately  ordered  for  execution,  but  it  was  prevented  by  the  interpofition 
of  my  brother  and  fome  other  perfons  who  had  formerly  known  him. 
Perhaps  Mr.  Reed  and  his  friends  may  fay  that  Count  Donop  would  not 
have  ordered  the  man  executed,  had  he  not  thought  he  came  for  intelli 
gence.  No  doubt  that  officer  would  have  juftified  his  conduct  by  putting 
him  on  the  footing  of  a  fpy,  but  why  was  another  perfon  included  in  the 
application,  and  one  who  was  not  looked  on  as  a  trifling  character,  his 
name  I  will  mention  to  any  perfon  who  may  apply  to  me — however,  my 
brother  faid  that  the  man  who  was  fent  with  the  application  was  a  poor 
peafant,  and  the  moft  unfit  perfon  in  the  world  to  fend  for  intelligence — 
this  argument  was  what  had  weight  with  Count  Donop,  and  which  faved 
his  life.* 

Thefe 

*  If  the  countryman  was  fent,  as  may  be  infinuated,  for  intelligence,  and  not  for  a 
protctfion  for  Mr.  Reed  and  his  friend,   is  it  not  very  extraordinary,   in  a  cafe  of  this 
nature,  after  the  man  had  fo  narrowly  efcapcd  with  his  life,  that  no  circumftance  re 
lating 


(       28       ) 

Thefc  circumftances  being  mentioned  by  a  brother,  and  which  he  de 
clared  to  be  true,  naturally  produced  an  alteration  in  my  fentiments  of 
Mr.  Reed,  for  previous  to  this  there  were  few  men  of  whom  I  entertained 
fo  high  an  opinion. 

On  my  return  to  Philadelphia  I  made  no  fecret  of  what  I  had  heard  ; 
indeed  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  mention  it  publicly,  that  it  might  prevent 
further  power  being  put  into  the  hands  of  a  man  who  might  make  bad 
ufe  of  it. — The  report  circulated  daily,  and  I  was  often  called  on  to  men 
tion  the  circumftances,  which  I  always  did ;  and  which  I  mould  have 
done  to  Mr.  Reed  had  he  applied  to  me.  I  remember  among  the  num 
ber  who  came  to  me,  was  Major  Thomas  Moore,  who  faid  he  intended 
to  inform  Mr.  Reed,  but  whether  he  did  or  not  I  cannot  pretend  to  fay. 

There  is  another  thing  I  wifh  to  mention.  My  brother  came  into  the 
river  in  a  flag  of  truce  on  fpecial  application  from  our  Commiflary  of 
Prifoners,  to  take  a  number  of  prifoners  who  were  exchanged,  to  fave  us 
the  expence  and  trouble  of  fending  them  by  land — this  was  in  the  month 
of  May  1781.  He  was  detained  about  nine  miles  below  the  city  up 
wards  of  four  weeks  and  never  permitted  to  vifit  it,  although  application 
was  made  for  that  purpofe  by  feveral  Captains  of  veflels  who  had  been 
prifoners  and  to  whom  he  had  rendered  civilities.  I  declined  making 
application  myfelf,  as  I  fuppofed  my  being  in  the  fervice  from  the  com 
mencement  of  the  war,  and  having  endured  a  rigorous  confinement  of 
eighteen  months  in  the  worft  of  times,  to  have  been  fufficient  to  have  ob 
tained  permiffion  for  a  brother  to  have  been  in  my  houfe  in  preference  to 
the  cabin  of  a  fmall  veffel  in  the  river — however  I  endeavoured  to  make 
his  fituation  as  agreeable  as  poffible,  by  vifiting  him  often  and  taking  my 
friends  with  me 

I  remember  Col.  Francis  Nichols  went  with  me  one  day,  to  whom  my 
brother  mentioned  Mr.  Reed's  intended  defertion,  and  who,  I  doubt  not, 
will  acknowledge  it  on  any  perfon's  applying  to  him— he  is  at  prefent  in 
Virginia,  but  is  expected  in  Town  in  a  few  days. 

DAVID  LENOX. 

HAVING  been  called  upon  by  General  Cadwalader  to  certify  fo 
far  as  my  knowledge  extends  as  to  the  matter  herein  aftermentioned,  I  do 

declare, 

lating  to  fo  delicate  an  affair  (tranfadted  in  fo  private  a  manner)  fhould  ever  have  came 
to  my  knowledge,  till  I  heard  this  teftimony  from  Major  Lenox. 

I  will  venture  to  fay  that  no  officer  of  the  army,  at  that  critical  period,  would  have 
rifked  his  reputation,  though  he  had  afforded  no  caufe  to  fufpedr.  his  firmnefs,  by  in- 
JlruEllng  a  fpy  to  apply  for  a  proteftion  for  him^  with  a  view  of  gaining  intelligence — 
without  mentioning  it  to  his  commanding  officer  before  the  tranfaclion.  But  in  the 
inftance  before  us,  it  is  worthy  notice  that,  in  fo  critical  a  fituation  of  public  affairs, 
Mr.  Reed  knowing  how  dangerous  fuch  a  plea,  as  the  mefienger  had  ufed,  might  prove 
to  his  reputation  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  fhould  not  have  endeavoured  to  obviate 
fuch  a  tale,  by  mentioning  the  circumftances  to  the  commanding  officer  at  Briftol,  who 
might  have  vouched  for  his  innocence  in  cafe  Donop  fhould  attempt  to  injure  him  af 
terwards. 


declare,  that  in  the  fpring  of  the  year  1781,  I  went,  with  Major  Lenox, 
of  this  city,  on  board  of  a  flag  of  truce  vefTel,  then  lying  in  the  river 
Delaware,  where  fhe  had  arrived  from  New- York,  and  heard  Mr.  Robert 
Lenox,  deputy  commiflary  of  prifoners,  under  the  Britifh  king,  fay,  that 
in  the  year  of  1776,  a  perfon  had  arrived  at  Count  Donop's  quarters, 
near  Bordentown,  in  New-Jerfey,  who  told  the  Count  that  he  had  been 
fent  to  him  by  General  Reed,  and  another  perfon,  whofe  name  I  do  not 
think  neceflary  to  mention,  to  procure  a  protection  for  them ;  that  the 
Count  refufed  to  grant  them  a  protection  in  that  manner,  and  was  about 
to  treat  the  perfon  who  had  applied  to  him,  as  a  fpy,  but  was  prevented 
by  the  entreaties  of  the  faid  Robert  Lenox,  and  fome  other  gentlemen. 

FRANCIS  NICHOLS. 
Philadelphia,  ijtb  March,  1783. 

Here  then,  it  fully  appears  that  the  teftimony  contained  in  the  above 
certificates,  all  point  to  the  fame  object,  and  to  the  fame  period  mentioned 
by  me,  fupporting  and  confirming  each  other.  They  likewife  clearly 
prove  the  whole  progrefs  of  your  premeditated  defection ;  they  prove  that 
you  deceived  me  by  thofe  profeffions  by  which  I  had  been  induced  to 
truft  to  your  appearances  of  fidelity,  as  you  abfolutely  made  an  applica 
tion  for  a  protection  to  Count  Donop — in  which  an  intimate  friend  of 
yours  was  included. 

But  what  opinion  mult  the  world  form  of  your  veracity  when  you  are 
detected  in  falfely  aflerting  that  you  had  not  mentioned  fuch  fentiments  to 
your  moft  intimate  friends  and  relations.  "  Is  it  not  utterly  incredible," 
you  fay,  "  that  I  mould  withhold  fuch  communication  or  fentiment  from 
my  moft  intimate  friends  and  relations,  and  to  make  it  to  a  perfon  with 
whom  I  had  held  no  friendmip  for  many  years,  who  had  received  me 
with  coldnefs."  Mr.  Pettit  is  your  relation,  and  Col.  Bayard  your  moft 
intimate  friend,  with  whom,  at  that  time,  you  had  the  freeft  intercourfe. 
To  thefe  you  communicated  your  fentiments  as  appears  by  the  certificates 
of  Col.  Bradford,  Col.  Ellis,  and  Mr.  Davenport,  but  your  friend  hinted 
at  in  Major  Lenox's  certificate  had  confented  to  accompany  you  in  your 
intended  defertion.  The  height  of  your  iniquity  does  not  end  here — you 
endeavoured  by  your  influence  to  fpread  general  difaffection :  in  order  to 
leflen  your  {hare  of  the  infamy  by  dividing  it  among  many.  Had  you 
conferred  with  men  whofe  principles  were,  in  every  inftance,  like  your 
own,  you  might  have  fucceeded ;  as  every  perfon  concerned  might  have 
carried  off  his  particular  friend  with  him. 

If  all  the  evidence  which  now  appears  againft  you,  had  been  produced 
at  that  time,  what  would  have  been  your  fate,  as  you  then  (being  adjutant 
general  of  the  army)  was  fubject  to  the  continental  articles  of  war? 

In  the  loth  page  you  fay  you  can,  "truly  declare  that  the  fubject  of 
"  the  prefent  flander  was  not  known  to  you,  till  its  appearance  in  the 
"  news  paper."  Having  mentioned  it  at  the  coffee-houfe  (as  appears  by 

Mr. 


(       3°       ) 

Mr.  Prvor's  certificate)  in  the  prefence  of  fome  of  your  friends,  it  was 
reafonable  to  expect  they  would  have  informed  you  of  it ;  but  it  feems 
there  is  fome  difference  between  private  information,  and  a  public  charge 
made  in  the  papers.  As  a  gentleman,  there  can,  in  my  opinion,  be  no 
difference ;  as  you  fay  in  your  letter  of  the  pth  of  Sept.  laft  that  this  in- 
finuation  feems  to  deferve  fome  credit  from  a  reference  to  me.  You 
infmuate  that  if  you  had  heard  it,  you  mould  have  noticed  it.  To  this 
however  the  world  will  give  little  credit,  as  you  made  no  public  or  private 
inquiry  refpe&ing  the  charge  contained  in  Major  Lenox's  certificate, 
though  he  communicated  it  to  Major  Thomas  Moore,  fon  of  the  late 
Prefident,  whofe  permiffion  I  have  for  afferting  publicly,  that  he  informed 
you  of  what  Major  Lenox  had  related,  the  very  day  he  heard  it. 

The  matters  mentioned  in  Major  Lenox's  certificate  and  in  that  of  Col. 
Nichols  reach  vaftly  beyond  me — here  you  abfolutely  apply  for  protec 
tion — and  if  one  report  demanded  your  notice  in  referrence  to  my  au 
thority,  why  not  another  more  alarming  to  you,  your  notice  in  referrence 
to  Major  Lenox. 

But  the  confcioufnefs  of  the  communications  made  to  confidential 
friends  and  others,  fuggefted  the  fear  of  farther  proofs.  As  long  as  it  was 
only  communicated  by  private  information,  you  were  willing  to  fubmit  to 
private  cenfure.  But,  when  a  charge,  which  originated  from  me,  was 
made  in  the  papers,  it  reduced  you  to  the  difagreeable  alternative  of  a 
tacit  confeffion,  or  the  hazard  of  public  proof.  And  in  the  prefent  in- 
ftance,  if  I  am  rightly  informed,  you  was  perfectly  difpofed  to  treat  the 
publication,  figned  Brutus,  with  that  "  filent  contempt"  which  you  fay 
you  have  for  a  "  long  time  obferved  with  refpedl  to  the  anonimous  abufe 
"  which  difgraces  our  public  papers ;" — but  your  friends,  feeling  the 
weight  of  the  charge,  goaded  you  into  fo  unfortunate  a  meafure. — 
"  Unhappy  man! — again}}  wbofe  peace  and  bappinefs  all  are  combined" 

What  anfwer  can  you  make  to  the  weight  of  teftimony  here  produced 
againft  you  ?     I  fee  nothing  left  but  to   declare  to  the  world — that  the 
whole  is  a  wicked  combination    to    deftroy    you  ;  you  may  fay — "  you 
thought  me  intitled  to  the  whole  infamy  of  the  infinuation,"  till  the  above 
mentioned  witneffes  "confented  to  divide  it  with  me ;"  and  that — "if  you 
"  did  not  fufficiently  meafure  the  malignity  of  their  difpofitions,  or  thought 
"  more  favourably  of  them  than  you  ought  to  have  done,  you  are  content 
"  to  acknowledge  your  error,  and  do  full  juftice  in  this  refpeft  for  ever 
"  hereafter;" — and,  if  any  perfon  mould  afk  you, — would  all  thefe  gen 
tlemen  hazard  fuch  affertions  without  foundation  ?  you  may  anfwer — "  it  is 
difficult  to  refolve  what  men  of  ungovernable  paffions  will  or  will  not  fay 
when  their  minds  are  inflamed  by  party,  and  their  breads  burning  with 
difappointed  ambition," — may  they  not  have  "  miftaken  a  convcrfation 
with  fome  other  perfon,   or,  at  this  diftance  of  time,  converted  fome 
JOCULAR  EXPRESSION  into  fuch  fufpicions  as  they  have  mentioned  ;" — and 
you  may  add — "  the  MEMORIES  of  MEN  may  fail ;  their  minds  are  fubjeft 

"to 


"  to  the  warp  of  prejudice  and  paflion ;  they  may  convert  into  ferious 
"  import  what  was  dropt  in  JEST,  and  from  falfe  pride  perfift  in  what 
"  they  have  faid,  becaufe  they  have  faid  it,  even  againft  the  conviclion  of 
"  their  own  conferences." 

In  your  letter  of  the  2$d  September  lad,  you  fay  "  you  have  declared 
"  the  infmuations  in  Ofwald's  paper  of  the  yth  inftant  falfe, — and  you 
"  apply  the  fame  epithet  to  my  avowal  of  them."  This  aflertion  has 
been  fully  refuted  by  the  concurrent  teftimony  of  your  intimate  friends 
and  others.  In  your  friends  you  thought  yourfelf  perfectly  fecure, — but 
the  weaknefs  of  two  of  them  has  betrayed  you,  and  the  third  is  proved 
your  accomplice. 

It  would,  indeed,  have  appeared  fomewhat  extraordinary,  if  you  had 
"  not  difcovered  your  intentions  to  fome  of  your  intimate  friends  and 
relations,  and  that  "  no  circumftance  mould  occur  to  correfpond  with  this 
imputation,"  after  having  communicated  the  fame  to  me.  Nor  are  proofs 
wanting,  if  they  were  here  neceflary,  independent  of  thofe  I  have  already 
adduced,  with  refpeft  to  fome  of  your  friends,  who,  at  that  time,  held 
confiderable  commands  in  the  militia. 

And  "  though  fpecially  fent  by  Gen.  Wafhington,"  as  you  fay,  "  for 
the  exprefs  purpofc  of  aflifting  me,"  it  may  not  be  here  improper  to  make 
a  ftiort  obfervation,  in  which,  I  conceive,  I  (hall  be  perfectly  juftifiable. 
Though  the  duties  of  an  Adjutant  General  would  naturally  confine  you  to 
the  continental  army  ;  yet  I  can  eafily  conceive  that  there  was  no  diffi 
culty,  by  hints  thrown  out,  or  by  the  interpoiition  of  a  friend,  to  induce 
the  Commander  in  Chief  to  permit  you  to  come  to  Brirtol  under  the 
pretence  of  affifting  me — being,  as  you  rcprefent  well  acquainted  with  the 
inhabitants  of  Burlington,  through  whom  you  might  obtain  information. 
But  from  the  evidence  which  appears  againft  you,  it  will  not  be  thought 
uncharitable  to  conclude,  that  you  conceived  your  plan  could  be  better 
executed  at  Briftol  than  under  the  eye  of  General  Wafhington.  Beiides, 
you  might  reaibnably  hope  to  make  more  eafily  the  conftancy  of  untryed 
officers  of  militia  than  thofe  in  the  army,  whofe  minds  might  be  fuppofed 
better  fortified  againft  fuch  attacks. 

I  am  at  a  lofs  for  words  to  exprefs  my  indignation  for  the  attempt  you 
made  on  my  integrity ;  for  though  I  did  not  fee  it  in  that  point  of  view  at 
the  time,  yet  the  whole  teftimony  as  now  collected,  fully  proves  fuch  to 
have  been  your  intention ;— -and  happy  I  conceive  it  to  be  for  my  own 
honour,  and  the  fafety  of  my  country,  that  you  found,  in  me,  that  rtrength 
of  mind  which  you  might  not  have  experienced,  in  fome  of  your  particu 
lar  friends,  had  they  been  in  my  iituation. 

The  circumftance  relating  to  the  letter  you  wrote  Count  Donop  created, 
at  the  time,  no  fufpicions,  nor  do  I  recolleft  any  publication  which  alludes 
to  it.  This  affair  and  that  mentioned  by  Major  Lenox,  are  diftindl 
tranfaclions ;  but  is  it  not  more  than  probable  that,  at  the  interview  you 
propofed  under  cover  of  ferving  the  inhabitants  of  Burlington,  you  in- 
P  tended 


(          32          ) 

tended  to  confer  with  Count  Donop  upon  the  fubjecl  of  your  own  intereft 
and  perfonal  fafcty.  This  fufpicion,  in  my  opinion,  is  perfectly  war 
ranted  by  the  indubitable  proofs  of  your  intended  defertion.  Another 
circumftance  relating  to  this  affair,  was  equally  unufual  and  improper, — 
Mr.  Daniel  Ellis*  by  whom  you  fent  the  letter  with  a  flag,  was  univer- 
fally  known  to  be  difaffecled  ; — having  been  fo  long  in  the  fervice  vou 
could  not  be  ignorant  of  thofe  obvioua  reafons  which  prove  the  propriety 
of  fending  men  with  flags,  whofe  attachment  to  the  caufe  is  well  known ; 
and  men  of  obfervation. 

Every  page  almoll  of  your  publication  is  full  of  reflections  againft  me, 
and  almoft  upon  every  fubjecl — fo  intent  have  you  been  to  injure  my  re 
putation.  The  errors  I  committed  during  my  command  may  ferve  a 
double  purpofe  ;  becaufe  he  who  committed  them  is  fubjedl  to  cenfure, 
and  he  who  points  them  out  claims  the  merit  of  the  difcovery.  That  I 
committed  errors  I  readily  admit, — my  friends  have  marked  fome,  and 
fubfequent  experience  difcovered  others ;  but  I  am  confcious  they  pro 
ceeded  from  want  of  experience,  not  a  want  of  integrity.  Why  then 
need  I  feek  to  juftify  myfelf,  when  from  the  nature  of  the  war  confidera* 
ble  commands  were,  from  neceflity,  intrufted  to  young  officers ;  there 
being  few  amongft  us,  to  whom  the  profeflion  was  not  entirely  new.  But 
I  confefs,  it  would  give  me  infinite  pain,  if,  by  "  a  flrange  inattention  of 
mine  to  the  tide  and  ftate  of  the  river,"  and  the  not  arriving  "  one  hour" 
fooner  at  Dunks's  Ferry,  we  had  loft  the  opportunity  of  ftriking  a  blow  at 
Mount-Holly  of  equal  glory  with  that  of  Trenton.  When  you  infmuated 
in  the  former  part  of  your  addrefs,  a  fuperior  knowledge  in  military  mat 
ters,  by  faying  you  had  more  "  experience"  I  gave  up  the  point  and  left 
you  the  happinefs  of  thinking  fo, — for  why  mould  I  have  contended  a 
point  with  a  man  who  throughout  his  pamphlet  affumes  to  himfelf  the 
merit  of  all  thofe  brilliant  fuccefles,  fo  highly  commended  even  by  our 
enemies,  and  which  determined  the  fate  of  American  independence. — 
And  if  I  was  fenfible  that  the  charge  you  now  make  was  true,  or  could  be 
thought  fo  by  competent  judges,  I  would  fcorn  to  defend  my  error. 

My  orders  was  to  make  the  attack  one  hour  before  day,  and  to  effect: 
a  furprize  if  poftible.  The  impropriety  therefore  of  fending  the  boats 
from  Brillol  to  Dunks's  ferry,  and  marching  the  troops  from  the  fame 
place  in  open  day,  is  evident,  as  fuch  a  movement  muft  have  been  ob- 
ferved  and  communicated  to  the  enemy.  And  now  tell  me  the  inltance 
where  even  continental  troops  have  arrived  at  the  point  of  attack  in  the 
given  time?  It  was  General  Wafhington's  intention  to  have  made  his 
attack  on  Trenton  before  day;  yet  from  unavoidable  delays,  he  did  not 
arrive  there  till  after  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning.  We  reached  Dunks's 
ferry  a  little  before  low  water,  and  can  any  perfon  believe  that  if  we  had 
arrived  "  one  hour  fooner"  we  could  have  paffed  over  near  twenty-five 

hundred 

*  I  have  ample  proofs  of  Mr.  Ellis's  attachment  to  the  enemy ;  which  may  be  pro 
duced  if  necetfary. 


(       33       ) 

hundred  men,  four  pieces  of  cannon,  ammunition  waggons,  and  horfes, 
and  all  the  horfes  belonging  to  officers  in  that  lime,  in  the  night  too,  and 
the  river  full  of  ice,  with  only  five  large  batteaus  and  two  or  three  fcows, 
when  it  took  us  at  leall  fix  hours,  (a  day  or  two  afterwards)  to  crofs  above 
Briftol,  in  open  day,  and  the  river  almort  clear  of  ice.  Strange  "  inatten 
tion  !"  unhappy  commander!  That  "  a  Jingle  hour  which  we  might 
have  enjoyed  with  equal  convenience  and  equal  rifk"  mould  be  the  only 
obftacle  to  a  fcene  of  equal  glory  with  that  of  Trenton;  and  yet  you  have 
rcprefented  to  General  Wafhington,  as  appears  by  his  letter^  dated  6 
o'clock,  P.  M.  25th  December,  1776,  to  me  being  the  very  fame  night 
and  before  we  marched  to  Dunks's  ferry,  that  you  gave  him  the  moft 
difcouraging  accounts  of  what  might  be  expected  from  our  operations  below. 
What  then  were  thefe  difcouraging  accounts?  Why  was  I  not  acquainted 
with  them  ?  or  were  they  thrown  out  to  influence  him  from  making  his 
attempt  on  Trenton,  by  reprefenting  that  no  co-operation  from  our  quarter 
could  favour  his  enterprize  ?  In  the  General's  opinion  it  is  plain  had 
that  tendency.  But  in  the  hecdlefs  fury  of  this  ftroke  at  me  you  have 
incautioufly  unguarded  your  moft  tender  part. 

"  Anxious  to  fill  up  the  part  of  this  glorious  plan  afligned  to  us,"  you 
"  parted  over  you  fay  with  your  horfe  to  fee  and  judge  for  yourfelf."  You 
"  did  fo.  Having  feen  the  laft  man  re-embarked  you  proceeded  before  day 
"  to  Burlington."  Here  permit  me  to  correct  you,  becaufe  there  is  no  cir- 
cumilance  better  afcertained  than  that  many  of  the  men  were  not  brought 
back  till  eight  o'clock  the  next  morning. 

Your  motives  for  going  that  night  to  Burlington  were  then  thought  a 
myftery  ;  'tis  now  no  longer  fo,  and  the  '*  other  circumftances"  that  per 
mitted  you  to  join  us  again  at  Briftol  are  now  clearly  accounted  for.  — 
General  Wafhington's  fuccefs  or  defeat  was  no  doubt  to  determine  whether 
you  were  to  remain  a  citizen  of  the  United  States  of  America,  or  to  be  a 
fhameful  deferter  of  your  country. 

You  fay  you  went  to  Philadelphia  at  my  requeft,  to  confer  with  General 
Putnam  ;  —  that  you  fet  out  in  the  evening  (the  24th  December)  and 
reached  Philadelphia  about  midnight  ;  —  but  what  credit  can  you  reafona- 
bly  expect  will  be  given  to  your  "  detail  of  proceedings"  in  other  particu 
lars,  when  you  find  yourfelf  detected  in  fuch  grofs  contradictions  in  the 
following  inilance  ? 

In 


ey's  Ferry,  ^^th  December,  1776, 

Six  o'clock,  P.  M. 
DEAR  SIR, 

Notwithftanding   the   difcouraging   accounts    I    have    received   from    Col.  Reed,  of 
what  might  be  expecled  from  the   operations    below,  I  am  determined,   as  the  night  is 
favourable,  to  crofs  the  river,  and  make  the  attack  upon  Trenton  in  the  morning.      If 
you  can  do  nothing  real,  at  leaft  create  as  great  a  diverfion  as  poflible. 
I  am,  Sir,  your  moji  obedient  Jervant, 

GEO.  WASHINGTON. 


(       34       ) 

In  the  feventeenth  page  you  fay, — "upon  conference  with  General 
"  Putnam  (at  Philadelphia)  he  reprefented  the  date  of  the  militia,  the 
"  general  confufion  which  prevailed,  his  apprehenfions  of  an  infurrection 
"  in  the  city  in  his  abfence,  and  many  other  circumftances  in  fuch  ftrong 
"  terms,  as  convinced  me  no  aflirtance  could  be  derived  from  him" — and 
yet  in  your  letter  to  me  dated  Philadelphia  2 5th  December  1776,  n 
o'clock,  you  fay — "  General  Putnam  has  determined  to  crofs  the  river 
"  with  as  many  men  as  he  can  colled,  which  he  fays  will  be  about  five 
"  hundred — he  is  now  muttering  them  and  endeavoring  to  get  Proctor's 
"  company  of  artillery  to  go  with  them.  I  wait  to  know  what  fuccefs  he 
"  meets  with  and  the  progrefs  he  makes — but  at  all  events  I  mail  be  with 
"  you  this  afternoon." 

Here  the  reprefentation  ftated  in  your  pamphlet  is  contradicted  by  a 
letter  in  your  own  hand-writing.  Having  forgot  perhaps  that  you  had 
written  fuch  a  letter,  your  ingenuity  furnifhed  materials  for  a  plaufable 
narrative  datable  to  your  purpoles — not  fufpecting  that  fuch  proof  could 
be  adduced  in  oppofition  to  it. 

Having  returned  to  Briftol  about  day-light,  on  the  26th  December, 
with  the  greater  part  of  the  troops,  I  received  an  account  about  1 1  o'clock 
A.  M.  from  a  perfon  juft  arrived  from  Trenton  Ferry,  that  General  Wafli- 
ington  had  fucceeded  in  his  attack — I  immediately  difpatched  a  mcflenger 
with  a  line  to  General  Ewing  for  information ;  but  all  I  could  learn  was, 
that  the  victory  was  ours. 

From  the  continuance  of  the  rain  and  wind,  I  concluded  the  ice  muft 
be  dellroyed  in  the  courfe  of  the  day,  and  inftantly  fent  down  to  Dunks's 
ferry  for  the  boats.  This  being  ah  extraordinary  fervice,  required  of  men 
who  had  been  expofed  to  the  ftorm  the  whole  night,  was  however  chear- 
fully  undertaken  and  executed.  I  then  confulted  Col.  Hitchcock,  who 
commanded  the  New-England  brigade,  to  know  whether  his  troops  would 
willingly  accompany  us  to  New-Jerfey,  as  I  had  determined  to  crofs  the 
river  in  the  morning,  if  practicable,  to  co-operate  with  General  Warning- 
ton.  He  informed  me  that  his  troops  could  not  march  unlefs  they  could 
be  fupplied  with  fhoes,  ftockings,  and  breeches,  upon  which  I  inftantly 
wrote  to  the  council  of  fafety,  and  obtained  feven  hundred  pair  of  each 
of  the  above  articles,  which  arrived  about  funrife  on  the  morning  of 
the  27th  December.  This  fecond  attempt  being  determined  on,  I  went 
with  feveral  officers  in  the  afternoon  of  the  26th  to  fix  upon  a  proper 
place  for  croffing  the  river  above  Briftol ;  and  the  next  morning  before 
day,  viewed  the  Jerfey  more  in  a  barge  for  the  fame  purpofe.  By  your 
relation,  one  would  imagine  that  you  had  been  the  life  and  foul  of  this 
fecond  movement  acrofs  the  Delaware, — as  little  privy  to  it  as  the  emperor 
of  Morocco, — but  it  is  no  unufual  thing  for  you  to  intercept  the  praife 
due  to  others  of  creditable  actions.  Inftead  of  being  prefent  to  confirm 
any  propofed  movements  by  your  advice,  you  remained  at  Burlington, 
"  in  a  kind  of  concealment,  till  the  weather  and  OTHER  CIRCUMSTANCES 

"  permitted 


(       35       ) 

"  permitted  you  to  join  us  at  Briftol,"  after  all  our  refblutions  were  taken 
and  the  moll  of  our  arrangements  made.  In  the  tiflue  of  your  reprefenta- 
tions  it  is  your  purpofe  to  infinuate  my  deficiency  in  military  conduct  in 
the  fubfequent  transactions.  Let  my  relation  of  it  be  heard  ! 

We  marched  on  the  2jth  in  the  morning,  and  the  ice  being  by  this 
time  chiefly  dertroyed  we  met  with  little  obftruclion  in  paffing.  The  lalt 
divifion  of  the  troops  being  embarked,  and  then  crofting,  We  received 
private  information  that  General  Wafhington  had  recroftcd  the  river,  and 
returned  to  Newton  in  Pennfylvania,  from  whence  he  dates  his  letter  2yth 
December,  1776,  informing  me  of  the  particulars  of  the  action  at  Tren 
ton,  and  which  was  not  received,  contrary  to  your  aflertion,  till  we  had 
marched  above  a  mile  on  our  way  to  Burlington  ; — it  was  then  read  to 
the  troops  who  were  halted  for  this  purpofe.  We  had,  however,  before, 
given  full  credit  to  the  firll  information  of  his  having  re-crofted  ;  on  which 
previous  information  I  called  together  the  field  officers  to  confult  what 
was  then  beft  to  be  done.  From  this  circumftance  Colonel  Hitchcock 
and  fome  others  propofed  returning  to  Briftol.  I  inftantly  declared  my 
determination  againft  it,  and  recommended  an  attack  upon  Mount  Holly  ; 
as,  from  the  information  we  had  of  the  force  at  that  port  we  might  eafily 
carry  it,  and  mould  then  have  a  retreat  open  towards  Philadelphia  if  ne- 
ceflary.  You  then,  "  as  a  middle  courfe,"  advifed  our  going  to  Burling 
ton — in  which  thofe  who  had  at  firft  propofed  our  return,  joined  in 
opinion.  This  was  the  true  caufe  of  that  hefitation  you  remarked  with 
refpect  to  me.  Burlington  was  a  pofition  in  my  judgment  very  danger 
ous,  as  in  cafe  we  mould  be  inverted  there,  and  the  river  was  impaflable, 
we  mould  be  forced  to  fubmit  at  difcretion  for  want  of  provifions,  or 
hazard  an  action  againft  troops  fuperior  in  difcipline,  and  perhaps  in  num 
ber,  if  their  whole  force  was  collected  to  that  point.  Having  no  other 
retreat  open  to  UP,  but  that  over  the  river ;  it  was  evident  that  this  could 
not  be  effected,  without  the  lofs  at  leaft  of  thofe  who  might  be  ordered  to 
cover  the  retreat.  Having  pafled  the  river  in  open  day,  it  was  probable 
the  enemy  might  be  informed  of  it, — and  in  that  cafe  the  port  at  Mount 
Holley  reinforced.  To  determine  whether  we  mould  take  a  pofition, 
unanimoufly  approved  by  the  council, — but  which  I  thought  extremely 
dangerous, — or,  adhere  to  my  own  plan,  unfupported  by  a  fingle  voice, 
was  certainly  a  queftion  that  required  more  than  a  momentary  confidera- 
tion,  even  for  an  officer,  at  this  ftage  of  the  war.  Being  prefled  to  fome 
refolution,  as  the  day  was  far  fpent,  I  waved  my  own  opinion,  and  acqui- 
efced  in  the  defire  of  marching  to  Burlington^-but  it  is  ridiculous  to  fup- 
pofe,  as  you  fay,  that  your  brother's  intelligence  of  Count  Donop's  retreat 
could  have  influenced  my  acquiefcence,  for  it  did  not  arrive  till  after  our 
refolutions  were  taken,  and,  befides,  was  not  credited  ;  becaufe,  if  it  had 
reached  us  before,  and  been  credited,  I  mould  not  have  acquiefced  in  fuch 
defire ;  if,  even  after,  I  fhould  naturally  have  taken  another  courfe,  and 
purfued  the  flying  enemy,  inftead  of  going  to  Burlington,  which  was  five 
miles  in  the  rear.  Late 


(       36       ) 

Late  that  night  I  received  certain  information  that  the  enemy  had  evac 
uated  all  their  ports  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  immediately  difpatched  a 
meflcnger  to  General  Wafhington  with  the  intelligence — in  anfwer  to 
which,  I  received  his  orders  very  early  the  next  morning,  to  purfue  and 
keep  up  the  panic,  and  that  he  would  crofs  at  Trenton  that  day.  From 
this  circumftance  it  appears  that  the  General  had  taken  his  determination, 
before  your  pretended  information  or  advice  from  Trenton  could  have 
reached  him. 

In  juftification  of  myfelf,  I  have  thought  it  neceflary  to  point  out  your 
falfe  ftate  of  fads,  in  thefe  particulars  —the  multitude  of  lefler  ones,  relating 
to  military  matters,  I  mail  pafs  over,  as  this  publication  is  already  neceflarily 
lengthened  beyond  my  firft  intention. 

As  I  hinted  in  my  letter,  loth  September  laft,  that,  "charges  of  the 
fame  nature  had  been  fome  time  fmce  made  againft  you"  by  Arnold  ; — 
you  fay  you  "  allow  full  weight  to  fo  refpeclable  a  connection  and  tefti- 
mony,"  to  which  you  made  no  reply ;  though  from  the  rank  and  char 
acter  of  Arnold,  at  that  time,  they  merited  your  notice.  Arnold  having 
received  his  information  from  me,  it  cannot  be  concluded  that  I  meant, 
by  his  teftimony,  to  ftrengthen  my  own  aflertion,  but  merely  to  fhew,  that 
having  before  been  charged,  you  did  not  reply,  from  which  many  be 
lieved  it  true.  And  when  he  apologized  to  me  for  inferting  it  in  his 
defence,  without  my  permiffion,  I  remarked  that  an  apology  was  unne- 
cerTary  from  the  public  manner  in  which  I  had  mentioned  it. 

Arnold  was  commanding  officer  in  this  city,  very  generally  vifited  by 
officers  of  the  army,  citizens  and  ftrangers  : — I  received  the  ufual  civilities 
from  him  and  returned  them,  and  often  met  him  at  the  tables  of  gentle 
men  in  the  city.  To  my  civilities,  at  that  time,  I  thought  him  intitled, 
from  the  fignal  fervices  he  had  rendered  his  country, — fervices  infinitely 
fuperior  to  thofe  you  fo  much  boafl  of;  he  ftood  high  as  a  military  char- 
after,  even  in  France,  and  after  your  profecution,  he  was  continued  in 
command  by  Congrefs ;  appointed  firft,  by  the  Commander  in  Chief,  to 
the  command  of  the  left  wing  of  the  army,  and  afterwards  to  that  im 
portant  poft  of  Weft-Point,  where  his  treacherous  conduct  exceeded,  I 
fancy,  even  your  own  idea  of  his  bafenefs.  To  what  then,  do  your  in- 
finuations  amount  ?  They  cannot  criminate  me  without  an  implied  cen- 
fure  on  Congrefs  and  the  Commander  in  Chief.  But  why  contaminate 
my  name  by  connecting  it,  in  his  inftance,  with  fuch  a  wretch  ?  when 
you  yourfelf  at  his  tryal,  with  a  half  mamed  face  feemed  to  apologize  for 
being  his  profecutor,  and  became  his  fulfome  panygerift.  It  confifted 
however  with  that  artifice  and  cunning  which  has  ever  been  the  fum  of 
your  abilities,  and  the  whole  amount  of  your  vvijdom. 

Your  remarks  on  my  letter  of  loth  December,  1777,  are  fo  inconfift- 
ent,  I  mall  beftow  a  few  obfcrvations  on  them — "  So  ftrong  and  virulent," 
you  fay,  "  was  my  antipathy  to  the  conftitution,  and  fuch  my  enmity 
"  to  thofe  who  adminiitered  it,  that  you  believe  I  would  have  preferred 

"any 


(       37       ) 

"  any  government  to  that  of  Pennfylvania,  if  my  perfon  and  property  would 
"  have  been  equally  fecure  "  and  yet,  it  feems  in  the  next  fenience  you 
fay. — "  but  it  was  our  lot  to  meet  again  a  few  days  before  the  battle  of 
"  Monmouth ;  here  we  were  again  united  in  confidence  and  danger"  If 
you  really  thought  I  would  prefer  any  government  to  that  of  Pennfylvania, 
why  did  you  then  take  fo  much  pains  to  fhew  that  we  again  united  in 
"  confidence  and  danger"  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  fo  many  months 
after  I  had  difcovered  that  virulent  antipathy,  and  which  now  hath  ex» 
torted  fuch  grofs  reflections  ? 

You  fay  my  bread  was  burning  with  difappointed  ambition ;  but  how 
does  this  appear,  when  immediately  upon  the  formation  of  the  new  gov 
ernment,  I  was  appointed  the  firft  of  three  brigadiers ;  which  created  me 
commanding  officer  of  the  militia.  Could  my  ambition  be  gratified  far 
ther?  But  to  obviate  every  objection,  let  me  fuppofe  you  meant,  that  I 
wifhhed  to  rife  to  power  in  the  civil  line,  which  however,  has  never  been 
even  iniinuated  before  ; — let  me  here  call  to  your  memory  how  eafy  the 
talk  was  for  any  character  to  rife  to  the  firft  offices  of  government.  I  con- 
fefs  I  do  not  think  fo  meanly  of  myfelf  as  to  have  dreaded  any  rivalfhip 
from  fome  of  the  candidates  of  thofe  days,  nor  do  I  mean  by  this  declara 
tion  to  infmuate  any  extraordinary  merit,  when  I  eftimate  mine,  by  that 
of  thofe  I  have  alluded  to.  I  could  not  have  confented  to  make  the  facrU 
fices  required,  but  you,  however,  and  fome  others,  as  much  oppofed  to 
the  eflential  parts  of  the  conftitution  as  I  was,  freely  made  them,  and 
broke  through  every  obligation  of  faith  and  honour. 

The  charge  you  brought  againft  a  party  in  the  ftate,  of  an  oppofition 
to  its  conftitution,  deferves  fome  attention.  I  will  digrefs  a  little  from  my 
main  fubjedt  to  examine  how  far  this  charge  is  true,  and  how  far  the  thing 
is  in  itfelf  criminal. 

Government  is  generally  fo  reverenced  among  men,  that  thofe  who  at- 
tempt  to  fubvert  any  fyftem  of  it  whatever,  have  to  contend  againft  a  very 
natural  prejudice.  But  this  prejudice  can  only  be  in  degree  with  the  an 
tiquity  of  its  eftablimment,  for  modern  error,  how  high  foever  its  authority, 
has  little  claim  to  our  veneration.  This  conceflion  made,  could  it  be  ex 
pected  that  our  novel  conftitution,  liable  at  firft  bluih  to  fo  many  import 
ant  objections,  fhould  not  have  its  opponents,  but  that,  in  a  moment,  it 
mould  be  fubmitted  to  as  implicitly,  as  if  it  had  had  the  fandtion  of  ages  ? 
what  circumftance  was  there  in  the  production  of  this  whimfical  machine, 
that  mould  filence  at  once  all  the  remonftrances  of  reafon  and  fenfe  againft 
it?  Was  it  not  worth  a  paufe  to  examine  whether  this  coat,  wove  for 
ages,  would  fit  us,  or  our  pofterity,  before  we  put  it  on ;  or  whether  this 
gift  of  our  convention  would  not  prove  our  deftruction  ?  From  an 
apprehenfion  that  it  would,  an  oppofition  was  formed  that  included  a 
majority  of  the  ftate.  Did  thofe  who  compofed  it  think  it  criminal  to 
prevent  the  fingular  ideas  of  a  convention  from  being  carried  into  execu 
tion,  againft  an  almoft  general  fentiment ;  or  did  they  not  rather  conceive 

it 


it  fafer  and  better  for  the  community  ftill  to  go  on  in  the  adminiftration 
of  governmental  affairs,  by  thofe  temporary  expedients  we  had  been  in 
the  habits  of,  until  their  conftitution  could  be  revifed  ? 

This  idea,  patriotic  as  it  was,  was  defeated  by  the  obftinate  enthufiafm 
offomc  of  thofc  who  trembled  for  this  new  Jerufalem  of  their  hopes,  and 
by  the  fcandalous  defertion  of  others,  and  cfpecially  yourfelf.  The  ends 
of  oppofition  being  thus  rendered  unattainable,  but  at  the  hazard  of  con- 
vulfions  that  might  endanger  the  great  American  caufe,  the  lame  virtue 
that  began  it,  ended  it,  and  it  has  long  fince  ceafed  to  act. 

This  is  a  well  known  ftate  of  facts,  but  what  it  did  not  fuit  with  your 
own  bye-purpofes  to  admit,  could  not  be  expected  from  your  integrity  : 
you  have  therefore  conftantly  kept  up  the  alarm  of  a  conftitutional  oppo 
fition,  and  on  every  occafion  referred  to  this  falfe  caufc,  that  honeft  and 
ufeful  oppofition  which  was  created  by  your  weak  though  violent  and 
tyrannical  adminiftration. 

That  you  was  called  to  the  chair  of  government  by  the  unanimous  vote 
of  council  and  afTembly,  you  have  often  boafted,  with  a  view  of  conveying 
to  the  world  an  idea,  that  even  the  gentlemen  oppofed  to  the  conftitution 
approved  the  choice.  But  they  neither  efteemed  you  as  a  gentleman,  nor 
approved  your  public  conduct.  They  knew  there  was  a  majority,  in 
aflembly  in  favour  of  your  election,  and  as  their  grand  object  was,  the 
obtaining  a  refolution  of  that  body,  recommending  the  calling  a  conven 
tion  for  revifing  the  conftitution,  fome  of  the  party  entered  into  an  en 
gagement  for  this  pupofe ;  and  your  election  was  negociated.  You  were 
to  ufe  your  endeavours  to  prevail  on  the  council  to  inforce  the  recom 
mendation  of  the  aflembly  by  a  fimilar  refolution.  From  your  own  ac 
knowledgement,  at  the  city  tavern,  the  refolution  of  the  council  was  never 
obtained,  or  even  moved  for  by  you,  and  for  this  flimfy  reafon,  that  no 
formal  information,  of  fuch  refolution  having  been  paffed,  had  been  com 
municated  to  you,  though  known  to  all  the  world ;  and  that  it  could  not 
be  expected  that  council  would  "  tag"  after  the  aflembly  in  a  meafure 
relating  to  the  public.  Yet  you  had  the  effrontery  to  aflert,  that  "  every 
engagement  on  your  part"  was  ftrictly  performed. 

At  this  meeting,  you  fay,  you  "  in  the  moll  open  manner  called  upon 
us  to  fupport  our  imputations,  and  that  you  fo  effectually  vindicated  every 
part  of  your  conduct,  that  every  gentleman  (myfelf  excepted)  acknow 
ledged  his  miftake."  I  own  I  made  no  conceflions ;  and  if  the  reafons  I 
then  gave  are  not  thought  a  fufficient  justification  to  the  world  of  the 
opinion  I  had  formed,  I  am  content  to  admit  that  it  was  not  only  "  fm- 
gular,"  but  "  abfurd." 

After  a  reafonable  paufe  I  remarked,  that  from  the  repeated  converfa- 
tions  I  had  had  with  you  on  this  fubjcct,  you  appeared  to  me  as  much 
oppofcd  as  I  was  to  the  conftitution  before  the  evacuation  of  the  city ; — 
that  you  had  refufed  to  accept  the  appointment  of  Chief  Juftice,  (becaufe 

you 


(       39       ) 

you  could  not  in  conference  take  the  oath  ;*)— that  a  fhort  time  before  the 
general  eledion  in  1778,  you  engaged  yourfelf  to  the  conftitutional  party  to 
ferve  in  council  for  the  county;  and  to  the  party  in  the  oppofition  to  ferve  in 
Aflembly  for  the  city ;  and,  being  chofen  in  both  inftances,  you  hefitated 
above  fix  weeks  (though  often  prefled  to  a  refblution)  before  you  deter 
mined  to  accept  your  feat  in  Council — depriving  during  this  time  the  city 
of  a  vote  in  Aflembly,  while  an  important  point  was  debated  concerning 
the  contefted  Chefter  election,  and  voluntarily  advocating  the  queftion  in 
favor  of  the  conftitutional  party  ; — that  on  the  fate  of  this  tryal  depended 
your  hopes  of  fucceding  to  the  Prefidential  chair  ; — that  a  determination 
in  favor  of  that  party  gave  them  a  decided  majority  ;  and  that  you  in- 
ftantly  accepted  your  feat  in  Council.  To  which  you  replied ;  and  in 
recapitalating  my  arguments  endeavoured  to  juftify  your  conduct ; — but 
confcious  of  having  failed  in  the  capital  points,  you  clofed  your  remarks 
with  fome  warm  expreflions  which  conveyed  the  idea  of  a  threat — of 
which  I  defired  an  explanation.  After  working  up  your  paffions  to  a  degree 
little  fhort  of  frenzy,  you  exprefled  yourfelf  in  the  following  terms. — I  mean 
this — *'  if  the  publications  traducing  my  public  and  private  character  are 

"  continued 

*  The  following  extradts  from  General  Reed's  letter  to  his  Excellency  the  Prefident, 
and  the  honourable  the  Executive  Council,  of  the  ftate  of  Pennfylvania,  dated  Phila 
delphia  zzd  July,  1777,  affigning  his  reafons  for  not  accepting  the  office  of  Chief  Juf- 
tice,  may  ferve  to  prove  his  opinion  of  the  Conjiitution  at  that  time.      "  If  there  is  any 
•«  radical  weaknefs  of  authority,  proceeding  from  the  Conftitution — if  in  any  refpecls 
"  it  oppofes  the  genius,  temper  or  habits  of  the  governed,  I  fear,  unlefs  a  remedy  can  be 
lf  provided)  in  lefs  than  feven  years,  government  'will  Jink  in  a  fpiritlefs  languor ,  or  ex- 
"  fire  in  a  fudden  CONVULSION.      It  would  be  foreign  to  my  prefent  purpofe  to  fuggeft 
"  any  of  thofe  alterations,  which,  in  my  apprehen/ton  are  necejjary  to  enable  the  Con 
ftitution  to  fupport  itfelf  with  dignity  and  efficacy,  and  its  friends  whhfecurity.     That 
fome  are  necejjary  I  cannot    entertain  the  leaji  doubt.      With   this   fentiment  I  feel  an 
infuperable  difficulty  to  enter  into  an  engagement  of  the  mojl  folemn  nature  leading  to 
the  fupport   and   confirmation  of  an  entire  fyftem  of  government,    which  I  cannot 
wholly  approve" — Again,  the  difpenfation  from  this  engagement,  'x~  firft  allowed  to 
feveral  members  of  the  Affembly,    and  afterwards  to  the  militia  officers,  has  added 
to  my  difficulties,  as  I  cannot  reconcile  it  to  my  ideas  of  propriety,    the  members  of 

"  the  fame  ftate  being  under  different  obligations  to  fupport  and  inforce  its  authority." 
But  he  adds — "  If  the  fenfe  of  the  people,  who  have  the  right  of  decifion,  leads  to 
"  fome  alterations,  I  firmly  believe  it  will  conduce  to  our  happinefs  and  fecurity — if 
"  otherwife,  I  fhall  efteem  it  my  duty  not  only  to  acquiefce,  but  to  fupport,  as  far  as 
"  lays  in  my  power,  a  form  of  government  confirmed  and  fanctified  to  the  voice  of  the 
u  people."  Here  then  he  fays,  "  he  feels  an  infuperable  difficulty  to  enter  into  an 
"  engagement  of  the  moft  folemn  nature,  leading  to  the  fupport  and  confirmation  of  an 
"  entire  fyftem  of  government,  which  he  cannot  wholly  approve  ,•  but  he  lhall  think 

"it 

*  By  the    "  difpenfation  from  this  engagement,"    abovementioned,    is   meant, — that  the 
oath  prefcribed  by  the  conjiitution  <was  difpenfed  'with,  and  many  members  of  ajj'embly  'were 
permitted  to  take  another  oath,  in  ivhich  they  'were  not  bound  to  fupport  the  conjiitution. 

Q 


(       40       ) 

"  continued  I  mean  to  apply  to  the  law :  'but  if  this  will  not  do  me  that 
"  juftice,  which,  in  fome  inftances  it  cannot  do — I  know  I  have  the  affec- 
"  tions,  and  command,  of  the  fighting  men  of  this  ftate ;  and  if  neceflary 
"  I  will  make  ufe  of  that  influence  and  call  forth  that  force  ; — and  if  blood- 
"  ihed  fhould  be  the  confequence,  be  it  on  your  own  heads." 

Such  violent  and  unwarrantable  expreflions  from  the  firft  magiftrate  of 
the  ftate,  and  in  the  prefence  of  the  whole  bench  of  juftices,  created  the 
higheft  indignation,  and  were  feverely  reprobated  by  feveral  gentlemen 
prefent :  which  induced  you  afterwards  to  endeavour  to  Ibften  your  ex 
preflions  and  meaning. 

But  if  it  was  fingular  or  abfurd  "  to  expeft  a  Prefident  of  the  ftate  to 
enter  into  the  violence  of  party  on  my  fide  of  the  queftion ;"  let  me  op- 
pofe  to  this  the  treachery  of  your  conduit  in  deferting  the  party  to  which 
you  at  firft  (from  "  confcientiuus"  principles)  attached,  and  yet  as  Prefi 
dent  enter  into  all  the  violence  of  party  on  (he  other  fide  of  the  queftion. 

Again,  "  upon  our  return  to  Philadelphia,"  you  fay,  "  I  became  the 
"  open  and  avowed  patron  of  thofe,  who  are  diftinguifhed  by  the  appel- 

«'  lation 

"  it  his  duty  to  acquiefce  and  fupport  the  government — if  confirmed  and  fanctified  by 
"  the  voice  of  the  people." 

How  inconfiftent  then  muft  his  conduct  appear,  wh,en  it  is  notorious  that  he  took  a 
decided  part  in  fupport  of  government— ^.accepted  of  his  feat  in  Council,  and  afterwards 
the  Prefidency,  long  before  the  fenfe  of  the  people  was  expreffed,  by  the  fabricated  injlruc- 
tions  to  the  members  of  Atfembly,  requiring  them  to  refcind  the  resolution  for  calling 
a  convention  for  the  purpofe  of  revifmg  the  constitution.  And  yet  he  fays,  in  the  2gth 
page  of  his  pamphlet,  he  '*  fo  effectually  vindicated  every  part  of  his  conduct,  that 
"  every  gentleman  (myfelf  excepted)  acknowledged  his  miftake."  . 

Thefe  were  the  oftenfible  reafons  for  not  accepting  the  Chief  Jufticefhip  and  taking 
the  oath  of  office, — but  an  oath  of  another  kind,  no  doubt,  induced  him  to  decline 
this  appointment.  He  had  not  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance  which  the  law  (parted 
I  ^th  June  1777)  required  of  every  male  white  inhabitant,  nor  did  he  take  it  (as  ap 
pears  by  the  publication  figned  Sidney,  in  the  Pennfylvania  Journal,  No.  1565,  I2th 
February  1783)  till  the  gth  of  October  1778,  which  was  the  very  day  he  was  elected 
a  Counfellor  for  the  county  of  Philadelphia. — And  although  disfranchifed  of  all  the 
rights  of  citizenihip,  and  incapable  of  being  elected  into,  or  ferving  in  any  office,  place, 
or  truft  in  this  Commonwealth,  Mr.  Reed  dared  to  difregard  the  voice  of  the  people, 
and  violate  the  law,  by  accepting  of  the  Prefidency  and  exercifmg  the  powers  of  gov 
ernment  annexed  to  that  office — If  he  had  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance,  agreeable  to 
law,  why  did  he  take  it  again,  on  the  day  he  was  elected  a  Counfellor  ? — as  the  mere 
oath  of  office  only,  upon  that  occafion,  would  have  been  required  of  him. 

As  Mr.  Reed  ha,s  not  touched  this  point  in  his  pamphlet,  or  furnilhed  his  friends 
with  a  fingle  argument  to  defend  him  againft  a  charge  fupported  by  authentic  proofs 
from  public  records,  the  public  have  very  juftly  pronounced  him  guilty.  If  certificates 
can  be  produced  of  his  oaths  of  abjuration  and  allegiance,  agreeable  to  law,  why  have 
they  not  been  published  ?  If  he  is  not  disfranchifed  of  the  rights  of  citizenship,  why 
was  his  vote  refufed  at  the  laft  election  ? — or,  is  this  one  of  the  fubjects  referved  for 
"  legal  examination  ?"  and  if  fo,  why  does  he  not  fufpend  the  public  opinion,  by  fuch 
information  ? 


"  lation  of  lories;  and  my  decifive  attachment  to  the  Britifh  Army*  and 
"  their  adherents  has  marked  every  fubfequent  period  of  my  life  too 
"  plainly  to  admit  of  doubt  or  denial."  If  you  really  entertained  fuch 
fentiments  why  did  you  in  the  month  of  February  (after  my  marriage), 
waving  the  indignity  offcr'd  to  you,  in  not  paying  you  the  ufual  compli 
ments  of  congratulation  upon  your  appointment  to  the  chair  of  govern 
ment,  pay  me  the  firft  vifit,  and  thereby  make  advances  towards  a  recon 
ciliation?  Such  a  condefcenfion  fo  contrary  to  the  ufual  forms t  can 
fcarcely  be  reconciled  even  to  a  character  like  yours. 

Men  who  acquire  popularity  by  means  difgraceful  to  a  gentleman,  dare 
not  hazard  a  fentiment  that  is  not  approved  by  the  party  with  which  he 
is  connected.  1  have  on  all  occafions,  and  in  all  companies,  private  and 
public,  delivered  freely  my  political  opinions ;  nor  has  the  dread  of  lofing 
the  little  popularity  I  poflefled  in  Pennfylvania,  ever  induced  me  to  make 
a  facrifice  of  my  honor,  by  adopting  opinions  or  m^afures  which  I  dif- 
approved  or  thought  injurious  to  my  country.  Efteeming  it  the  higheft 
honor  to  deferve  the  approbation  of  my  fellow  citizens,  I  have  ever  been 

folicitous 

*  That  this  opinion  was  not  entertained  by  Congrefs  may  reafonably  be  inferred  from 
the  following  letter. 

Philadelphia  izth  Sept.  1778. 
SIR, 

"HIS  Excellency  General  Wartiington  having  recommended  to  Congrefs  the 
"  appointment  of  a  general  of  horfe,  the  houfe  took  that  fubjeft  under  consideration 
the  loth  inft.  when  you  were  unanimoufly  eledted  Brigadier  and  commander  of  the 
cavalry  in  the  fervice  of  the  United  States." 

*'  From  the  general  view  above-mentioned,  you  will  perceive,  Sir,  the  earneft  defire 
*•  of  the  houfe  that  you  will  accept  a  commiflion,  and  enter  as  early  as  your  conven- 
"  ience  will  admit  of,  upon  the  duties  of  the  office,  and  I  flatter  myfelf  with  hopes  of 
"  congratulating  you  in  a  few  days  upon  this  occafion." 

/  ha-ve  the  honour  to  be-y  ivith  particular  regard  and  eftecm, 
Sir,  your  mo/i  humble  fervant, 

HENRY  LAUREN S, 

The  Hon.  Prefident  of  Congrefs. 

Brigadier  General  CADWALADER. 

But  not  wifhing  to  have  it  fuggefted  that  I  entered  into  the  fervice  at  fo  late  a 
period  of  the  war,  for  the  fake  of  rank,  as  the  French  treaty  had  taken  place,  and  I 
had  conceived  all  offenfive  operations  at  an  end,  I  declined  the  appointment  in  thefe 
terms. 

SIR,  Maryland,  lyth  Sept.  1778. 

I  H  A  V  E  the  higheft  fenfe  of  the  honor  conferred  upon  me  by  Congrefs  in  ap 
pointing  me  a  brigadier  in  the  continental  fervice,  with  the  command  of  the  cavalry, 
more  particularly  as  the  voice  of  Congrefs  was  unanimous. 

I  cannot  content  to  enter  into  the  fervice  at  this  time,  as  the  war  appears  to  me  to 
be  near  the  dofe.  But  fhould  any  misfortune  give  an  unhappy  turn  to  our  affairs,  I 
fhall  immediately  apply  to  Congrefs  for  a  command  in  the  army.  I  have  the  honor  to 
be,  with  the  greateft  regard  and  efteem,  your  Excellency's 

Moft  obedient  humble  fer-vanty 

His  Excellency  JOHN   CADWALADER. 

HENRY  LAURENS,  Efq.  Prefident  of  Congrefs. 


(       42       ) 

felicitous  to  obtain  it.  You  and  fome  others  have  induftrioufly  propa 
gated  reports  for  the  purpofe  of  injuring  my  reputation  ;  but  confcious 
that  my  political  opinions  and  conduct  will  ftand  the  tell  upon  the  niceft 
fcrutiny  ;  and  having  never  experienced  any  diminution  of  that  efteem, 
refpedl  and  warmth  of  friendmip,  which  my  fellow  citizens  have  ever 
fhewn  towards  me,  a  refutation  of  fuch  calumny  is  utterly  needlefs. 

From  the  whole  of  what  I  have  here  laid  before  the  public,  fupported 
by  the  teftimony  of  the  moft  refpeclable  witnefles,  the  following  conclu- 
fions  may  fairly  be  deduced. 

1.  That  the  converfation  alluded   to,   which  I  have  aflerted   to  have 
parted  between  us  at   Briftol,    was   mentioned   by   me,  in   confidence,  to 
Colonel  Hamilton,  and  fome  others   of  General  Wafhington's  family  in 
the  year  1777;  and  therefore  could  not  have  originated  at  the  time  you 
mention ;  or,  to  gratify  my  refentment  againft  you,  as,  at  that  time,  you 
acknowledge  no  parties  fubfifted. 

2.  It  could  not  have  been  invented  to  gratify  my  refentment  for  the  at 
tempt  you  made  to  evade  the  payment  of  Mr*  Porter's  order ;  becaufe  I 
did  not  make  it  public  at  the  time,  nor  till  feveral   years  afterwards,  and 
you  acknowledge  all  that  coolnefs  was  done  away,  and  our  former  habits 
of  friendmip  reftored. 

3.  As  it  appears  by  Mr.  Clymer's  teftimony,  that  I  mentioned  it  pub 
licly  at  Mr.  Hamilton's   tryal,   which  was  before  you  were  eleded  prefi- 
dent  of  the  ftate,  it  ought  to  be  imputed  to  another  caufe  than  that  which 
you  have  affigned. 

4.  As  it  appears  by  Mr.  Pryor's   teftimony  that  I  mentioned  it  at  the 
Coffee-Houfe  in  the  hearing  of  fome  of  your  friends,  we  may  reafonably 
conclude  you  were  informed  of  it,  and  this  conclulion  is  ftrengthened  by 
your  paffing  over  unnoticed  the  information  contained  in  Major  Lenox's 
teftimony,  which  was  related  to  you  by  Major  Thomas  Moore. 

5.  It  cannot  appear  improbable,  that  you  mould  have  held  this  con 
verfation  with  me,   as  your   expreflions  to   General  Dickinfon,   Colonel 
Nixon  and  Dr.  Rum,  convey  fentiments  equally  injurious  to  your  reputa 
tion  as  a  patriot,  and  Adjutant  General  of  the  army. 

6.  As  it  fully  appears  by  the  teftimony  of  Colonel  Ellis,  and  Mr.  Da 
venport,  and  that  of  Colonel  Bradford,  that  you  had  communicated  fuch 
fentiments  to  your  brother-in-law  Mr.  Pettit  and  to  Colonel  Bayard  con 
trary  to  your  declaration,   we  may  with  propriety   aflert  that  you  have 
forfeited  that  veracity  which  is  eflential  to  the  charfter  of  a  gentleman. 

Laftly,  from  the  teftimony  of  Major  Lenox  and  Colonel  Nichols,  it 
appears  that  you  abfolutely  applied  to  Count  Donop  for  protection,  and 
that  a  particular  and  intimate  friend  of  yours  was  included  in  it ;  and 
therefore,  from  this  and  the  foregoing  teftimony,  all  pointing  to  the  fame 
object,  and  to  the  fame  period,  fupporting  and  confirming  each  other,  it 
cannot  leave  the  leaft  room  to  doubt  the  truth  of  my  aflertion. 

In  fome  inftances  a  man's  general  good  conduit  has  had  great  weight 

to 


(       43       ) 

to  invalidate  or  weaken  charges  highly  criminal ;  but,  unfortunately,  yours 
can  receive  no  aid  from  fuch  circumftances.  Diffimulation  and  cunning 
have  for  a  time,  deceived  the  moft  difcerning ;  but  the  fnares  you  have 
laid  for  others  will,  moft  probably,  accomplifh  your  own  deftruction. 

Having  long  fince  known  how  to  eftimate  your  character,  I  have  not 
any  where  pretended,  in  this  performance,  to  fix  it  at  higher  value  than 
what  it  generally  pafles  current  for ;  you  have,  fince  the  term  of  your 
adminiftration,  repeatedly  put  yourfelf  upon  your  country.  Your  name 
has  been  offered  to  the  people  for  a  feat  in  the  legiflature ;  to  the  legifla- 
ture,  for  a  feat  in  Congrefs ;  to  Congrefs,  for  polls  of  continental  truft  ; 
but  that  name,  its  counterfeit  gilding  at  length  rubb'd  off  and  the  native 
colour  of  the  contexture  expofed,  has  depreciated  like  the  continental 
money  with  fuch  velocity,  that,  though  a  few  years  ago  worth  a  prefident's 
chair,  it  would  not,  now,  purchafe  a  conftable's  ftafF;  nor  is  it  more  highly 
rated  in  the  fphere  of  polite  life,  than  in  the  great  theatre  of  the  world  ; 
for  its  unfortunate  owner  ftands  alone,  unnoticed,  in  the  midft  of  com 
pany,  with  full  leifure  to  reflect  on  the  fenfible  effects  of  the  lofs  of  repu 
tation. 

My  immediate  purpofe  requires  nothing  further  from  me ;  but  your 
adminiftration,  the  theme  of  your  own  folitary  praife,  might  not  impro 
perly  have  been  touched  upon,  but  that  it  is  a  field  too  extenfive  for  me, 
and  that  I  have  not  afperity  enough  in  my  nature,  to  do  juftice  to  the 
fubjeft.  I  will  yet  obferve  upon  fome  matters  in  your  pamphlet  not  in 
direct  connection  with  one  or  the  other  fubjectj  but  which  are  extremely 
demonftrative  of  a  temper  in  the  writer  to  wifh  evil  to  the  community, 
after  the  power  of  doing  it  has  ceafed. 

You  who  have  ever  been  a  rapacious  lawyer,  and  have  never  omitted 
any  means  of  amafTing  a  fortune,  have,  with  a  truly  confident  fpirit,  (hewn 
an  implacable  enmity  to  all  thofe  who  are  raifed  to  a  condition  above 
want  and  dependence.  And  though  you  kick  againft  the  parallel  drawn 
between  you  and  the  Cataline  of  antiquity,  you  have  in  this  point,  proved 
its  exactnefs — he  haranguing  in  the  circle  of  his  confpirators,  exafperates 
them  againft  the  opulent  citizens  of  Rome,  you  in  your  pamphlet  labour 
to  create  invidious  diftinctions,  would  pervert  the  order  of  well  regulated 
fociety,  and  make  fortune's  larger  gifts,  or  even  its  moderate  bleffings, 
criterions  of  difqualification  for  public  truft  and  honours  in  Pennfylvania ; 
and  under  a  fpecious  defcription  of  men,  offer  with  your  fword,  to  lead 
the  indigent,  the  bankrupt,  and  the  defperate,  into  all  the  authority  of 
government.  But  in  the  fhallownefs  of  your  underltanding,  you  have 
miftaken  the  fpirit  of  the  times ;  it  will  not  countenance  or  fupport  a 
Cataline. 

You  would  alfo,  no  doubt,  as  may  be  inferred  from  your  pamphlet, 
you  who  are  fo  deficient  in  morality,  draw  your  fword  in  religious  quar 
rels,  to  bring  you  once  more  into  play ;  but  'tis  to  no  purpofe  you  would 
raife  an  alarm,  as  a  very  great  and  refpectable  part  of  your  opponents 

confifts 


(       44       ) 

confifts  of  perfons  belonging  to  that  fociety  of  which  your  profcfs  your- 
felf  to  be  a  member ;  and  there  is  a  general  and  commendable  coolnefs 
and  indifference  for  fuch  quarrels,  that  will  not  eafily  take  fire  on  your 
falfe  and  inflammatory  fuggeftions ;  fo  that  whatever  you  have  catched  at 
to  raife  you  from  the  earth,  has  broke  in  your  hands,  and  brought  you 
again  to  the  ground* 

JOHN  CADWALADER. 


APPENDIX 


Extraft  from  Life  of  Jofeph  Reed,         .  .3 

Extraft  from  Journal  of  Margaret  Morris,  .          .  4 

Extraft  from  Letter  of  Col.  Jofeph  Trumbull,  .  .     4 

Reed's  Letter  to  Charles  Lee,     ....  5 

Lee's  Letter  to  Reed,     .         .         .         .         .  .     6 

Reed's  Letter  to  Wafliington,      ....  7 

Extrafts  from  Irving's  Life  of  Wafliington,       .  .     8 

Article  from  Firefide  Vifitor,        .                            •  9 


APPENDIX 


A. 

Evtraft  from  Life  and  Correspondence  of  Jojepb  Reed^  by 
his  Grandfon  William  B.  Reed.  Philadelphia.  1847. 
Vol.  II,  p.  383. 

OCCASIONALLY,  controverfics  of  a  graver  kind  occurred  at  this 
feafon  of  difeafed  excitement.  Of  this  defcription  was  one  of  a 
very  painful  nature,  which  in  the  fall  of  1782,  Mr.  Reed  was  in 
volved  in,  with  his  former  companion  in  arms,  General  John  Cadwalader. 
Pamphlets  of  great  acrimony  were  publifhed  on  each  fide.  Thefe  pam 
phlets  are  now  before  me,  but  it  is  moft  confident  with  my  feelings  to  the 
living  and  the  dead,  that  the  controvcrfy  mould  be  difmifled  with  this  in 
cidental  reference  which  its  importance  at  the  time  feemed  to  require,  and 
with  the  cxpreflion  of  the  conviction  that  had  the  lives  of  the  parties,  and 
efpecially  of  him  who  made  the  aflault,  been  prolonged,  and  opportuni 
ties  fuch  as  we  now  have,  been  afforded,  of  collating  teltimony,  and 
allowing  tranficnt  refentmcnts  to  fubfide,  the  fiercenefs  of  the  controverfy 
would  have  been  fucceeded  by  far  more  amiable  feelings.  But  in  lefs 
than  three  years  from  the  date  of  the  controverfy,  both  parties  were  in 
their  graves, 


(     4     ) 
B. 

Extraff  from  the  Journal  of  Margaret  Morris,  who  re- 
fide  d  at  the  time  on  the  "  bank"  at  the  corner  of  Ellis 
Jlreet,  in  Burlington,  N.  J. 

JANUARY  4,  1777.  We  were  told  by  a  woman  who  lodged  in  the 
^j  fame  room  where  General  Reed  and  Colonel  Coxe*  took  flielter, 
when  the  battle  of  Trenton  difperfed  the  Americans,  that  they  (Reed  and 
Coxe)  had  laid  awake  all  night  confulting  together  about  the  bell  means 
of  fccuring  themfelves,  and  that  they  came  to  the  determination  of  letting 
off"  next  day  as  foon  as  it  was  light  to  the  Britifh  camp,  and  joining  them 
with  all  the  men  under  their  command.  But  when  the  morning  came  an 
exprefs  arrived  with  an  account  that  the  Americans  had  gained  a  great 
victory.  The  Englifh  made  to  flee  before  the  ragged  American  regi 
ments.  This  report  put  the  rebel  General  and  Colonel  in  high  fpirits, 
and  they  concluded  to  remain  firm  to  the  caufe  of  America.  They  paid 
me  a  viiit,  and  though  in  my  heart  I  defpifed  them — treated  them  civilly, 
and  was  on  the  point  of  telling  them  their  converfation  the  preceding  night 
had  been  conveyed  to  me  on  the  wings  of  the  wind,  but  on  fecond  thought, 
gave  it  up — though  perhaps  the  time  may  come  when  they  may  hear 
more  about  it. 

c. 

Extract  from  Letter  written  by  Col.  Jofeph  'Trumbull  to 
Col.  William  Williams,  dated  Camp,  near  North  Caflle, 
\$>th  November,  1776. 

r  HEAR  Jos.  Reed  has  fent  his  resignation  fometime  ago  ;  in  the  name 
•*•  of  common  fenfe  why  is  it  not  accepted  ?  That  man's  want  of  abilities 
in  his  office  has  introduced  the  greatell  diforders  and  want  of  difciplinc 
into  this  Army;  it  ought  to  originate  from  that  office.  Then  he  has  done 
more  to  raife  and  keep  up  a  jealoufy  between  the  New-England  and  other 
troops  than  all  the  men  in  the  Army  befide.  Indeed,  his  Itinking  pride, 
as  General  George  Clinton  expreffes  it,  has  gone  fo  far  that  I  cxped:  every 
day  to  hear  he  is  called  to  account  by  fome  officer  or  other  ;  indeed,  he 
is  univerfally  hated  and  defpifed ;  and  it  is  high  time  he  was  difplaced. — 
Force's  American  Archives,  V.  3.  1497-8. 

*  Was  this  particeps  criminis  of  Reed's  the  Colonel  John  Cox,  from  whom  Reed 
obtained  a  certificate  of  good  character,  which  he  printed  in  the  Appendix  to  his 
pamphlet  ? 


(     5     ) 
D. 

From  Force's  American  Archives,  Fifth  Scries,  Vol  3,  Column  793. 

Jqfeph  Reed,  Adjutant-General,  to  General  Lee. 

HACKENSACK,  November  2  Ist,  1776. 

r\EAR  General  :  The  letter  you  will  receive  with  this  contains  my 
••^  fentiments  with  refpecl  to  your  prefent  llation ;  but  befides  this,  I 
have  fome  reafons  for  mod  earneftly  wiihing  to  have  you  where  the  prin 
cipal  fcene  of  action  is  laid.  I  do  not  mean  to  flatter  nor  praife  you  at  the 
expenfe  of  any  other,  but  I  confefs,  I  do  think  that  it  is  entirely  owing  to 
you  that  this  Army  and  the  liberties  of  America,  fo  far  as  they  are  dependent 
on  it,  are  not  totally  cut  off.  You  have  decifion,  a  quality  often  wanting 
in  minds  otherwife  valuable  ;  and  I  afcribe  to  this  our  efcape  from  York 
Ifland,  from  King's  Bridge,  and  the  Plains ;  and  I  have  no  doubt,  had 
you  been  here,  the  garrifon  of  Mount  Wafhington  would  now  have  com- 
pofed  a  part  of  this  Army  :  and  from  all  thefe  circumftances,  I  confefs  I 
ardently  wifh  to  fee  you  removed  from  a  place  where  I  think  there  will 
be  little  call  for  your  judgment  and  experience,  to  the  place  where  they 
are  likely  to  be  fo  neceflary.  Nor  am  I  fingular  in  my  opinion  :  every 
gentleman  of  the  family,  the  officers  and  foldiers  gencr.illy,  have  a  confi 
dence  in  you.  The  enemy  conftantly  inquire  where  you  are,  and  feem 
to  be  Ids  confident  when  you  are  prefent. 

Colonel  Cadwaladcr,  through  a  fpecial  indulgence  on  account  of  fome 
civilities  mown  by  his  family  to  General  Prefcott,  has  been  liberated  from 
New  York  without  any  parole.  He  informs  that  the  enemy  have  a  fouth- 
ern  expedition  in  view ,  that  they  hold  us  very  cheap  in  confequence  of 
the  late  affair  at  Mount  Wafhington,  where  both  the  plan  of  defence  and 
execution  were  contemptible.  If  a  real  defence  of  the  lines  was  intended, 
the  number  was  too  few ;  if  the  fort  only,  the  garrifon  was  too  numerous 
by  half.  General  Wafhington's  own  judgment,  feconded  by  reprefenta- 
tions  from  us,  would,  I  believe,  have  faved  the  men  and  their  arms ;  but 
unluckily,  General  Greene's  judgment  was  contrary.  This  kept  the 
General's  mind  in  a  itate  of  fufpenfe  till  the  ftroke  was  ttruck.  Oh, 
General !  an  indecifive  mind  is  one  of  the  greatell  misfortunes  that  can 
befall  an  army  :  how  often  have  1  lamented  it  this  campaign  ! 

All  circumllances  confidered,  we  are  in  a  very  awful,  alarming  ftate, 
one  that  requires  the  utmoll  wifdom  and  tirmnefs  of  mind.  As  focn  as 
the  fealon  will  admit,  I  think  yourfelf  and  fome  others  fhould  go  to  Con- 
grefs,  and  form  the  plan  of  the  new  army,  point  out  their  defeds  to  them, 
and  if  pollible  prevail  on  them  to  bend  their  whole  attention  to  this  great 
objecl,  even  to  the  exclufion  of  every  other.  If  they  will  not,  or  cannot 
do  this,  \  fear  all  our  exertions  will  be  vain  in  this  part  of  the  world. 


(     6     ) 

Foreign  afliftance  is  foliciting,   but  we  cannot  expedl  they  will  fight  the 
whole  battle. 

I  intended  to  have  faid  more,  but  the  exprefs  is  waiting,  and  I  mull 
conclude  with  my  clear  and  explicit  opinion  that  your  prefcnce  is  of  the 
laft  importance. 

I  am  with  very  much  affedlion  and  regard,  your  very  affectionate, 
humble  fervent, 

JOSEPH  REED,  Adjnt.  Gen. 
Major-General  Lee,  at  the  White-Plains. 


E. 

General  Lee  to  CoL  Reed. 

CAMP,  November  24^,  1776. 

Dear  Reed  :  I  received  your  moil  obliging,  flattering  letter  j  lament 
with  you  that  fatal  indecifion  of  mind  which  in  war  is  a  much 
greater  difqualification  than  ftupidity,  or  even  want  of  perfonal  courage : 
accident  may  put  a  decilive  blunderer  in  the  right,  but  eternal  defeat  and 
mifcarriage  muft  attend  the  man  of  the  beft  parts  if  curfed  with  indecifion. 
The  general  recommends  in  fo  preiTmg  a  manner  as  almoft  to  amount  to 
an  order,  to  bring  over  the  Continental  troops  under  my  command,  which 
recommendation  or  order  throws  me  into  the  greateft  dilemma  from  feveral 
confiderations.  Part  of  the  troops  are  fo  ill  furnifhed  with  fhoes  and 
ftockings,  blankets,  &c.,  that  they  muft  inevitably  perifli  in  this  wretched 
weather.  Part  of  them  are  to  be  difmifled  on  Saturday,  and  this  part  is 
the  beft  accoutred  for  fervice.  What  flicker  we  are  to  find  on  the  other 
fide  of  the  river  is  a  ferious  confideration.  But  thefe  confiderations  fliould 
not  fway  me.  My  rcafon  for  not  having  marched  already  is,  that  we 
have  juft  received  intelligence  that  Rogers's  corps,  the  Light  Horfe,  part  of 
the  Highlanders,  and  another  brigade,  lie  in  fo  expofed  a  fituation  as  to 
give  the  faireft  opportunity  of  being  carried.  I  fliould  have  attempted  it 
lart  night,  but  the  rain  was  too  violent,  and  when  our  pieces  are  wet  you 
know  our  troops  are  bors  du  combat.  This  night  I  hope  will  be  better. 
If  we  fuccced  we  fliall  be  well  compenfated  for  the  delay;  we  fliall  like- 
wife  be  able  on  our  return  to  clear  the  country  of  all  the  articles  wanted 
by  the  enemy.  In  every  view,  therefore,  the  expedition  muft  anfwer. 

I  have  juft  received  a  moil  flattering  letter  from  Don  Luis  Venzaga, 
Governor  of  New-Orleans.  He  gives  me  the  title  of  General  de  los  Efta- 
dos  Unidos  Americanos,  which  is  a  tolerable  ilep  towards  declaring  himfelf 
our  ally  in  pofitive  terms.  The  fubilance  is,  that  he  isfcnfible  of  the  vail 
advantages  which  muft  refult  from  the  feparation  to  his  mailer  and  nation ; 
that  he  cannot  pofltively  enter  into  a  regular  fyftem  without  confulting  his 
mailer,  but  in  the  mean  time  he  will  render  us  all  the  fervice  in  his  power. 


(     7     ) 

I  only  wait  myfelf  for  this  bufmefs  of  Rogers  and  company  being  over. 
I  fhall  then  fly  to  you  ;  for  to  confefs  a  truth,  I  really  think  our  Chief 
will  do  better  with  me  than  without  me. 

I  am,  Dear  Reed,  yours  moft  fmcerely, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
Force's  American  Archives,  V.  3,  831-33. 

F. 

Colonel  Reed  to  General  Waflrington. 

PHILADELPHIA,  8  March,  1777- 

T^\EAR  Sir:  The  Congrefs  having  adjourned  to  this  city,  I  fuppofe  they 
**^  will  foon  come  to  fome  refolution  refpecling  the  command  of  the 
horfe.  As  ambition  for  military  command  is  not  my  ruling  paffion,  I 
make  no  doubt  any  preference  given  to  any  other  perfon  will  be  founded 
on  fuch  merit,  as  will  give  fatisfaclion  to  every  one.  I  am  fure  it  will  give 
it  to  me,  as  I  love  my  country  too  well,  and  have  too  deep  a  ftake  in  the 
game,  not  to  wifh  it  well  played.  I  am  very  fenfible  that  fome  obftruc- 
tions  have  been  thrown  in  the  way  by  the  gentlemen  from  New  England ; 
but  I  do  not  much  wonder  it  mould  be  fo,  and  therefore  do  not  blame 
them.  My  anxiety  to  reform  the  terrible  abufes  which  prevailed  among 
us,  often  led  me  farther  perhaps  than  was  prudent,  efpecially  if  I  had 
fought  popularity  or  promotion,  which  I  did  not.  The  good  of  the  fer- 
vice  was  my  object.  Of  this  I  may  have  mifapprehended  the  means  and 
mode. 

At  all  events,  my  dear  Sir,  I  flatter  myfelf  nothing  will  arife  from  the 
determination  of  Congrefs,  that  will  give  you  any  difTatisfaftion.  I  am  too 
inconfiderable  to  be  the  fubjcft  of  the  flighteft  difficulty  between  the  firft 
civil  and  military  powers.  And  my  countrymen  here  are  partial  enough 
to  think  me  deferving  of  offices  of  honor  and  profit,  which  I  mould  not 
have  prefumed  to  folicit ;  fo  that  fliould  things  not  go  exactly  in  the 
line  you  have  pointed  out,  perhaps  the  refult  may  be  better  on  the  whole 
than  you  expe£t. 

I  could  have  wifhed  to  have  one  hour  of  private  converfation  with  you 
on  the  fubject  of  a  letter  written  to  me  by  General  Lee  before  his  captivity. 
I  deferred  it  in  hopes  of  obtaining  from  him  the  letter,  to  which  his  was  an 
anfwer.  I  fear,  from  what  we  hear,  that  he  will  be  fent  to  England,  and 
of  courfe  there  will  be  little  probability  of  my  obtaining  it.  While  he 
flays  in  America  I  cannot  give  up  my  hopes,  and  in  the  mean  time  I  moft 
folemnly  aflure  you,  that  you  would  fee  nothing  in  it  inconfiftent  with  that 
refpecl:  and  affecYion,  which  I  have  and  ever  fliall  bear  to  your  perfon  and 
character.  My  preffing  him  moft  earneftly  to  join  you  as  foon  as  poffible, 
and  mentioning  that  Mount  Wafliington  was  taken  before  any  decifion 


(     8     ) 

was  had  refpefting  it,  led  to  exprcffions  and  an  anfwer,  \\hich  muft  have 
been  difapproved  by  you,  and  \\hich  I  was  far  from  expecting.  I  had 
rather  multiply  inftances  than  repeat  affurances  of  my  refptft  and  attach 
ment.  No  man  in  America,  my  dear  General,  more  truly  and  ardently 
wifh.es  your  honor,  happinefs  and  fuccefs,  or  would  more  exert  himfelf  to 
promote  them.  I  fay  more  upon  this  occafion,  from  a  probability  that 
we  fhall  not  renew  our  military  connexion,  and  therefore  can  have  no 
other  intercrt  than  that  of  fccuring  your  eftccm  free  from  all  fclfifh  principle. 
At  the  fame  time  I  make  you  a  moft  fmcere  tender  of  my  fervices  at 
any  time  of  particular  difficulty,  if  you  think  they  will  lighten  any  part  of 
the  heavy  burthen,  which  you  are  called  by  Providence  to  fupport,  and 
which  I  doubt  not  will  eventually  elexate  you  to  a  height  of  honor  and 
glory,  that  a  few  happy  men  only  in  all  ages  are  called  to  poflefs.  General 
Cadwalader  does  not  accept  of  his  appointment,  which  I  am  forry  for, 
It  is  a  real  lols  to  the  fcrvice. 

I  am,  with  unfeigned  refpeift  and  regard,  dear  Sir,  &c., 

JOSEPH  REED. 
Sparks's  Writings  of  Wajbingtett,  IV,  537-8. 

G. 


following  extratts  from  Irving  s  Life  of  Wajhington, 
relate  to  the  foregoing  correffondence  between  Gen,  Reed 
and  Gen.  Lee,  in  November,  1776. 

A  T  this  moment  of  care  and  perplexity,  a  letter,  forwarded  by  exprefs, 
"*•**  arrived  at  head-quarters.  It  was  from  General  Lee,  dated  from  his 
Camp  at  Northcartle,  to  Colonel  Reed,  and  was  in  reply  to  the  letter 
written  by  that  officer  from  Hackenfack  on  the  21  ft,  which  we  have 
already  laid  before  the  reader.  Snppofmg  that  it  related  to  official  bufi- 
nefs,  Wafhington  opened  it,  and  read  as  follows:* 

*  *  *  * 

A  glance  over  this  letter  fufficcd  to  (how  Wafhington,  that  at  this  dark 
moment,  when  he  moft  needed  fupport  and  fympathy,  his  character  and 
military  conduit  were  the  fubjeft  of  difparaging  comments  between  the 
friend  in  whom  he  had  fo  implicitly  confided,  and  a  farcaftic  and  appa 
rently  felf-conftitutcd  rival.  Whatever  may  have  been  his  feelings  of 
wounded  pride  and  outraged  friendfhips,  he  reftraincd  them,  and  enclofed 
th?  letter  to  Reed  with  the  following  chilling  note  : 

"  Dear  Sir  :  The  enclofed  was  put  into  my  hands  by  an  exprefs  from 
White  Plains.  Having  no  idea  of  its  being  a  private  letter,  much  lefs 
fufpeding  the  tendency  of  the  correfpondencc,  I  opened  it  ;  as  I  have 

*  For  the  whole  of  this  letter  fee  ante  p.  6,  of  Appendix. 


(     9     ) 

done  all  other  letters  to  you  from  the  fame  place,  and  Peekfkill*  upon  the 
bufinefs  of  your  office,  as  I  conceived  and  found  them  to  be.  This,  as  it 
is  the  truth,  muft  be  my  excufe  for  feeing  the  contents  of  a  letter,  which 
neither  inclination  nor  intention  would  have  prompted  me  to,"&c» 

The  very  calmnefs  and  coldnefs  of  this  note  muft  have  had  a  greater 
efFeft  upon  Reed,  than  could  have  been  produced  by  the  moft  vehement 
reproaches.  In  fubfequent  communications,  he  endeavored  to  explain 
away  the  offenfive  paragraphs  in  Lee's  letter,  declaring  there  was  nothing 
in  his  own  inconfillent  with  the  refpeft  and  affeftion  he  had  ever  borne 
for  Wafhington's  perfon  and  charadler. 

Fortunately  for  Reed,  Wafhington  never  faw  that  letter.  There  were 
paffages  in  it  beyond  the  reach  of  foftening  explanation.  As  it  was,  the 
purport  of  it,  as  reflected  in  Lee's  reply,  had  given  him  a  fufficient  mock. 
His  magnanimous  nature,  however,  was  incapable  of  harboring  long  re- 
fentments ;  efpecially  in  matters  relating  folely  to  himfelf.  His  perfonal 
refpedl  for  Colonel  Reed  continued  ;  he  invariably  manifefted  a  high 
fenfe  of  his  merits,  and  confulted  him,  as  before,  on  military  affairs;  but 
his  hitherto  affectionate  confidence  in  him  as  a  fympathizing  friend,  had 
received  an  incurable  wound.  His  letters,  before  fo  frequent,  and  fuch 
perfedl  outpourings  of  heart  and  mind,  became  few  and  far  between,  and 
confined  to  matters  of  bufinefs. 
Life  of  Wajbington,  Vol.  II,  pp.  441-444. 

The  following  "  profpective  note  "  appears  at  the  foot  of  page  444. 

*'  We  cannot  difmifs  this  painful  incident  in  Washington's  life,  without  a  profpeftive 
note  on  the  fubjeft.  Reed  was  really  of  too  generous  and  intelligent  a  nature  not  to 
be  aware  of  the  immenfe  value  of  the  friendfhip  he  had  put  at  hazard.  He  grieved 
over  his  miftake,.  efpecially  as  after  events  fhowed  more  and  more  the  majeftic  great- 
nefs  of  Wafhington's  character.  A  letter  in  the  following  year,  in  which  he  fought 
to  convince  Wafhington  of  his  fincere  and  devoted  attachment,  is  really  touching  in  its 
appeals.  We  are  happy  to  add  that  it  appears  to  have  been  fuccefsful,  and  to  have 
reftored,  in  a  great  meafure,  their  relations  of  friendly  confidence." 

H. 

The  following  is  from  the  Firefide  Vifitor,  of  July  26,  1856: 

Irving  s  Wafhington  and  General  Jofepb  Reed. 

'"pHOUGH    much    has  been  recently  faid  upon  the  fubjeft  of  Mr. 

•**     Irving's  Life  ofWajkington,  and  his  eftimate  of  Gen.  Jofeph  Reed, 

ftill  we  do  not  think  it  neceffary  to  apologize   for  the  infertion  of  fome 

additional  remarks  upon  apparent  contradictions  and  mifapprehenfions  in 

that  work — feeling  affured   that  the   diftinguifhed  author  will  look  upon 

fuch  corrections  as  may  be  fubftantiated,  with  that  candor  and  high-toned 

impartiality  for  which  he  is  fo  juftly  eminent ;  and  that  he  will  ever  re- 

S 


gard  it  as  the  duty  of  the  hiftorian — however  difagreeable  it  may  Tome- 
times  be — to  vindicate  truth  and  expofe  falfehood. 

In  vol.  2,  pages  443-4 — referring  to  Reed's  letter  to  Lee,  Mr. 
Irving,  in  the  text,  fays :  "  Fortunately  for  Reed,  Waihington  never  faw 
that  letter.  There  were  paffages  in  it  beyond  the  reach  of  foftening  ex 
planation."  That  Wafhington's  "  hitherto  affectionate  confidence  in  him, 
as  a  fympathizing  friend,  had  received  an  incurable  wound.  His  letters, 
before  fo  frequent,  and  fuch  perfect  outpourings  of  heart  and  mind,  be 
came  few  and  far  between,  and  confined  to  matters  of  bufmefs."  Yet,  at 
the  foot  of  the  page,  in  a  "  profpective  note"  on  the  fubject — apparently 
a  fubfequent  addition — he  feems  to  contradict  or  modify  what  he  had  faid 
above,  and  Hates,  in  exceedingly  mild  terms,  that  "  Reed  was  really  of 
too  generous  and  intelligent  a  nature  not  to  be  aware  of  the  immenfe  value 
of  the  friendfhip  he  had  put  at  hazard.  He  grieved  over  his  miftake, 
efpecially  as  after  events  mowed  more  and  more  the  majeftic  greatnefs  of 
Wafhington's  character." 

The  "  after  event,"  that  was  productive  of  fo  much  enlightenment  to 
Gen.  Reed,  and  which  doubtlefs  caufed  him  to  "grieve"  over  his  "  mif- 
take,"  was  Wafhington's  fuccefs  at  the  battle  of  Trenton.  Had  the  refult 
of  that  battle  been  otherwife,  it  is  well  afcertained  that  Reed's  "  generous 
and  intelligent  nature  "  would  not  have  prevented  his  going  over  to  the 
'  enemy.  The  "  profpective  note  "  concludes  with  the  ftatement  that  "  a 
letter  in  the  following  year,  in  which  Reed  fought  to  convince  Wafhing- 
ton  of  his  fincere  and  devoted  attachment,'7  we  are  happy  to  add,  appears 
to  have  been  fuccefsful,  "  and  to  have  reftored,  in  a  great  meafure,  their 
relations  of  friendly  confidence."  Does  not  this  feem  as  though  Mr. 
Irving  was  endeavoring  to  take  the  "  back  track,"  or  to  "  carry  water  on 
both  moulders  ?"  If  Wafhington's  "  affectionate  confidence  in  Reed,  as  a 
fympathizing  friend,  had  received  an  incurable  wound,"  how  could  their 
"  relations  of  friendly  confidence  "  have  been  fo  foon  reftored  ?  And  if 
it  was  "  fortunate  "  for  Reed  that  Wafhington  never  faw  the  letter  to  Lee; 
that  there  were  paffages  in  it  beyond  the  reach  of  foftening  explanation 
(though  the  author  of  the  Life  of  Reed  calls  it  a  "  natural  and  very  mo 
derate  complaint "),  how  can  Mr  Irving  be  "  happy  to  add  "  that  Reed's 
fubfequent  attempts  to  throw  duft  in  the  eyes  of  Gen.  Wafhington  "  ap 
pear  to  have  been  fuccefsful."  Should  it  not  rather  have  awakened  his 
honeft  indignation  at  fuch  duplicity  ? 

Mr.  Irving  again,  on  page  468,  fays  that  "  Wafhington,  who  held 
Cadwalader  in  high  efteem,  affigned  to  him  an  important  ftation  at  Briftol, 
with  Colonel  Reed,  who  was  his  intimate  friendy  as  an  affociate.  Mr. 
Irving  labors  under  a  confiderable  mifapprehenfion  on  this  point,  as 
Gen.  Cadwalader  in  his  "  Reply  to  Gen.  Jofeph  Reed's  remarks," 
expreflly  difclaims  any  "  friendfhip,"  and  Hates  that  difguft  on  account 
of  certain  pecuniary  tranfactions  of  Reed,  before  the  war,  was  the  "  true 
motive  of  the  diffolution  of  an  intimacy  "  which  he  acknowledged  "  had 
fubfifted  in  early  life ;"  that  "  from  that  time  and  owing  folely  to  that 


caufe  he  took  the  refolution  to  avoid  his  company  as  a  private  gentleman," 
and  which  he  "conftantly  adhered  to;"  but  that  in  1776,  meeting  offi 
cially  in  the  army,  he  "  did  not  fuffer  perjonal  dijlike  to  interfere  with 
public  duty." 

In  1777  Cadwalader  had  "confidentially"  mentioned  to  Col.  Hamil 
ton,  and  fome  other  gentlemen  of  Gen.  Wafhington's  family,  Reed's 
treacherous  expreflions  and  fentiments  in  1776,  but  it  was  not  till  1778, 
when  Gen.  Reed,  at  the  trial  of  Mr.  William  Hamilton  (who  was  acquit 
ted),  on  a  charge  of  treafon,  took  an  active  and  violent  part  in  the  profe- 
cution,  as  a  volunteer,  that  "  his  indignation  broke  forth,"  and  he  declared 
publicly,  that  "  /'/  argued  the  extremity  of  effrontery  and  bafenefs,  in  one 
man  to  purfue  another  to  death  for  taking  a  ftep  which  his  own  foot  had 
once  been  raifed  to  take" 

Although  fuch  expreflions  were  made  openly  at  this  trial,  and  at  the 
coffee  houfe,  and  other  public  places,  in  the  prefence  of  Gen.  Reed's 
friends,  and  communicated  by  them  to  him,  flill  it  did  not  fuit  that  gen 
tleman  to  reply  in  any  way ;  and  it  was  not  till  1782,  when  the  publica 
tion  figned  Brutus  appeared,  that  his  friends,  feeling  the  weight  of  the 
charge,  fucceeded  in  inducing  him  to  attempt  to  anfwer  it,  by  the  publica 
tion  of  his  Remarks. 

In  thefe  Remarks  Reed  denied  having  heard  of  the  "  flander  "  before, 
though  it  had  been  circulating  publicly  for  fully  four  years,  and  exhaufted 
the  vocabulary  in  denunciations  of  General  Cadwalader.  Knowing  the 
value  of  any  thing  from  Wafhington's  hand,  he  wrote  him  an  urgent  letter, 
foliciting  his  evidence  in  his  favor,  to  which  letter  Wafhington  returned  a 
very  non-committal  fort  of  an  anfwer,  dated  Sept.  15,  1782,  which  is 
printed  in  his  appendix  to  the  Remarks — in  default,  no  doubt,  of  fome- 
thing  more  explicit. 

Then  it  was  that  the  Cadwalader  pamphlet  appeared,  in  which,  in  ad 
dition  to  the  very  ftrong  teftimony  of  the  author  as  to  Reed's  intended 
defection,  it  appears  among  other  things  that  in  December,  1776,  incon- 
verfation  with  Dr.  Rufh  (fpeaking  of  a  friend  who  had  fubmitted  to  the 
enemy),  Reed  faid  "  that  he  had  acted  properly,  and  that  a  man  who  had  a 
family,  did  right  to  take  that  care  of  them  :"  that  Mr.  Charles  Pettit,  Reed's 
own  brother-in-law,  faid  that  Gen.  Reed  had  "  given  up  the  conteft  :"  that 
Col.  John  Bayard,  his  moft  intimate  friend,  mentioned  to  Major  Bradford, 
that  "  he  knew  his  fentiments,"  and  was  "  fully  perfuaded  that  Gen.  Reed 
had  gone  to  join  the  enemy,  and  make  his  peace ;  and  that  Reed  had 
actually  applied  to  Count  Donop  for  a  protection  for  "  himfelf  and  a 
friend."  The  Reply  was  very  complete  and  conclufive,  and  need  only 
be  read  to  carry  conviction  to  the  mind  of  the  unprejudiced  reader. 

This  publication  was  never  replied  to  by  General  Reed,  nor  does  his 
intelligent  biographer,  in  the  Life  and  Correspondence,  in  two  large  octavos, 
comprifing  everything  favorable  to  Reed  that  can  be  faid,  attempt  to  an 
fwer  it;  the  charges  therein  made  and  proved  are  not  even  alluded  to. 
The  author  merely  fays  in  a  fhort  paragraph,  noticing  the  controverfy, 


that  "  pamphlets  of  great  acrimony  were  publifhed  on  each  fide,"  and 
that  it  is  "  moft  confident  with  his  feelings,"  that  the  controverfy  "  mould 
be  difmifTed  with  this  incidental  reference,  which  its  importance  at  the 
time  feemed  to  require,"  and  with  the  "  expreffion  of  the  conviction " 
that  had  "  opportunities  fuch  as  we  now  have,  been  afforded,  of  collating 
teftimony,  and  allowing  tranjient  refentments  to  fubfide,  the  fiercenefs  of 
the  controverfy  would  have  been  fucceeded  by  far  more  amiable  feelings."* 
He  does  not  attempt  to  difcredit  Gen.  Cadwalader's  reputation.  That 
were  a  vain  tafk.  The  truth  is,  that  the  Reply  was  unanfwerable.  The 
deliberate  teftimony  of  fuch  men  as  Dr.  Benjamin  Rufh,  George  Clymer, 
Alexander  Hamilton,  Major  Lennox  and  others,  was  not  fo  eafily  over 
thrown.  It  was  no  "  tranfient  refentment"  that  elucidated  the  difagree- 
able  fads  therein  contained,  as  thef  came  from  half-a-dozen  fources,  and, 
as  far  as  Gen.  Cadwalader  was  concerned,  had  been  more  or  lefs  publicly 
mentioned  by  him  during  a  period  of  nearly  feven  years.  And  upon 
what  authority  the  learned  author  exprefles  the  "  conviction  "  that  this 
"  tranfient  refentment"  would  have  fubfided,  we  are  at  a  lofs  to  imagine. 
Certainly  if  the  "  opportunities,  fuch  as  we  now  have,  of  collating  tefti 
mony,"  afforded  him  any  peculiar  advantages,  he  would  fcarcely  allow 
fuch  charges  as  falfebood,  difkonefty,  and  intended  treafon,  to  pafs  unno 
ticed — if  he  could  difprove  them.  If  he  could  not,  of  courfe  it  would  be 
"  more  confiftent  with  his  feelings "  to  difmifs  the  fubjecl  with  a  very 
"  incidental  reference." 

It  has  been  afTerted  that,  after  the  peace,  and  after  the  difbanding  of 
the  army,  Wafhington  received  information,  the  truth  of  which  he  had 
fatisfied  himfelf  of,  of  the  treafonable  defigns  of  Reed.  Did  Wafhington 
ever  fee  the  Cadwalader  pamphlet  ?  Is  it  not  very  probable  that  he  did, 
and  that  the  plain,  ftraight-forward,  corroborative  teftimony  of  his  friends 
and  former  companions-in-arms  mould  have  had  due  weight  with  him? 

At  all  events,  if  Gen.  Wafhington  had  been  on  the  terms  of  "  friendly  con 
fidence"  with  Reed,  that  the  author  of  the  Life  of  Reed  fays  he  "continued 
to  be,"  is  it  not  very  ftrange  that  not  a  folitary  letter  or  note  of  his,  after 
1780,  appears  in  thofe  volumes,  which  contain  no  lefs  than  fifty  of  his 
letters  between  1775-80  printed  at  large?  The  only  letter  of  his  after 
that  date,  that  we  have  feen,  was  that  of  September  1782,  before  referred 
to,  and  which  it  was  not  confidered  worth  while  to  print  in  the  Life. 
Were  there  any  others  ?  Does  any  one  fuppofe  that  the  ingenious  author 
would  forego  the  opportunity  of  prefenting  to  the  public  any  favorable 
teftimony  from  that  higheft  of  fources  ?  One  of  two  things  feems  very 
certain.  That  Wafhington  either  did  not  correfpond  with  Reed  after  that 
time,  or  if  he  did,  that  his  letters  were  not  fufficiently  complimentary  for 
the  public  eye.  TRENTON. 

NOT?. — The  italics  in  the  quotations  from  Mr.  Irving's  Life  of  Wajhlngton,  and 
from  the  Life  of  Reed,  are  ours. 

*W.  B,  Reed's  Life  of  Reed,  ii,  383. 


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